Hooray, it's asparagus season! We can't get enough of the glorious green stems here at Attachment Towers and will be munching away on beautiful, delicious British asparagus at most meals for as long as the short season lasts. Simply steamed, griddled or roasted, whatever you do it's going to be a treat, but this simple take on a traditional dish works perfectly. Brunch, lunch or light supper, let's enjoy one of our native culinary delights while we can.
Asparagus with Poached Eggs and Parmigiano Reggiano Sauce
Serves 2
Ingredients
14 spears asparagus
1/3 tbsp olive oil
2 eggs
2 tbsp chopped parsley
15-20g shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
Salt and pepper
For the sauce:
25g unsalted butter
1 tsp plain flour
100ml milk
50g cream cheese
30g grated Parmigiano Reggiano
½ tsp lemon zest
Method
1. To make the sauce, melt the butter in a small heavy based saucepan over a medium-low heat. Stir in the flour and whisk in the milk to thicken.
2. Stir through the cream cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano and lemon zest and season to taste. Keep warm and stir periodically to prevent a skin from forming
3. Cook the asparagus spears in boiling salted water until just tender (3-5 minutes). Remove from the heat, drain and plunge quickly into ice cold water. Drain again and toss in olive oil, salt and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, poach the eggs in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Drain on kitchen paper.
5. To serve, lay spears of asparagus on two serving plates, top with a poached egg and drizzle over plenty of sauce. Sprinkle over a little parsley and black pepper and top with Parmigiano Reggiano shavings.
Wine pairing: Serve with a mature oaked Chardonnay, a white rioja or, for a decadent brunch, a glass of Champagne.
Asparagus with Poached Eggs and Parmigiano Reggiano Sauce
Serves 2
Ingredients
14 spears asparagus
1/3 tbsp olive oil
2 eggs
2 tbsp chopped parsley
15-20g shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
Salt and pepper
For the sauce:
25g unsalted butter
1 tsp plain flour
100ml milk
50g cream cheese
30g grated Parmigiano Reggiano
½ tsp lemon zest
Method
1. To make the sauce, melt the butter in a small heavy based saucepan over a medium-low heat. Stir in the flour and whisk in the milk to thicken.
2. Stir through the cream cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano and lemon zest and season to taste. Keep warm and stir periodically to prevent a skin from forming
3. Cook the asparagus spears in boiling salted water until just tender (3-5 minutes). Remove from the heat, drain and plunge quickly into ice cold water. Drain again and toss in olive oil, salt and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, poach the eggs in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Drain on kitchen paper.
5. To serve, lay spears of asparagus on two serving plates, top with a poached egg and drizzle over plenty of sauce. Sprinkle over a little parsley and black pepper and top with Parmigiano Reggiano shavings.
Wine pairing: Serve with a mature oaked Chardonnay, a white rioja or, for a decadent brunch, a glass of Champagne.