Best French Breaded Asparagus Recipes

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH CRUNCHY PARMESAN TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 500 degrees; while it heats, put bread in, and check frequently until it is lightly toasted and dry. Coarsely grind or grate bread and cheese together (a small food processor is best), and keep crumbs larger than commercial bread crumbs.
• Rinse asparagus, and break off woody bottoms. Lay stalks in a baking dish that will hold them in two or three layers. Toss with bits of butter or the oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place in oven.
• Roast 5 minutes, then shake dish to redistribute butter or oil. Roast 5 minutes more, then test for doneness by piercing a spear with point of a sharp knife; it should slide in but meet a little resistance. (Up to this point, the recipe can be made as much as two hours before serving; just leave asparagus at room temperature).
• Turn on broiler and place rack as close as possible to heating element. Top asparagus with cheese-crumb mixture and run under broiler to brown, a minute or two. Serve hot or at room temperature.

ASPARAGUS FRIES

Steps:

• For the seasoning: Stir desired seasoning combination in a large bowl until well mixed.; set aside.
• For the asparagus fries: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 360 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl until well combined; set aside.
• Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Slowly pour in the lager and whisk until smooth. Dip half of the asparagus pieces into the batter, turning to coat completely and letting any excess drip off. Carefully add a few of the asparagus pieces at a time to the hot oil until all the battered pieces are added, then fry until golden brown on all sides and crisp-tender on the inside, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to the paper towels and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Repeat with the remaining asparagus pieces and batter, making sure to bring the oil back to 360 degrees F for the second batch.
• Toss the warm fries in the bowl with the seasoning combination and serve with the lemon aioli.

PROVENCAL ASPARAGUS WITH TOMATO (FRENCH)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut a small "x" in the bottom of the tomato. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the tomato and cook it for 30 seconds. Remove it to a bowl of salted iced water. Add the asparagus in the boiling water and blanch for 1 minute. Remove the asparagus to the iced water bath to cool down, then drain both the tomato and the asparagus. Peel the tomato, remove the seeds, and roughly chop it. Cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces and set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the tomato, garlic, herbs, and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the tomato begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the asparagus and cook until is just tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon the mixture into an ovenproof casserole and scatter with some Parmesan shavings. Bake until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.

ASPARAGUS WITH BREADCRUMBS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor, process bread until coarse crumbs form. Transfer breadcrumbs to a small bowl. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Add Parmesan, season with salt and pepper, and stir with a fork to combine.
• Arrange asparagus in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Top with breadcrumb mixture and bake until breadcrumbs are golden brown and asparagus is tender, 20 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice over asparagus just before serving.

BREADED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Steam asparagus, if fresh, can use whole canned asparagus in this recipe also.
• Dip in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
• Heat the 2 Tablespoons of oil in skillet and brown asparagus, turning gently.
• When golden, remove and serve.
• Note: The recipe says that Cauliflower can be done the same way, but I admit I have never tried it.