Best Griddled Asparagus Recipes

GRIDDLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cut (or break) off the woody ends from the asparagus. Boil the spears in a large pan of salted water for 3 minutes. Drain, then plunge the spears into ice-cold water to stop the cooking and set the colour. Pat the asparagus dry.
• Oil the spears lightly. Leave a large cast-iron griddle over a high heat until it's very hot, then arrange the spears on it in a single layer. (You may have to griddle the asparagus in two batches.) Reduce the heat to medium and cook the spears for 3-4 minutes. Turn them with tongs and cook for a few more minutes, or until the spears are tender to the point of a knife and lightly gilded.
• Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter and sprinkle on a few drops of balsamic vinegar. Serve while still hot, although the spears will also taste very good at room temperature.
• To get ahead, you can prepare the asparagus to the end of step 1 and keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

GRIDDLED ASPARAGUS, PIPERADE, POACHED EGGS, AND GRITS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken stock, butter, and sea salt to taste, and bring to a boil over high heat. Whisk in the grits and stir for 1 minute with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to low and cook the grits, stirring often, for 20 minutes or until they are tender. Finish the grits with the cream, add more sea salt to taste, and stir well. Cover to keep warm. (I use the waxed paper from a stick of butter for this, placed butter side down over the grits so they don't develop an unseemly crust.)
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the garlic. Slowly cook the garlic over medium-low heat, making sure not to allow any color to develop, for about 5 minutes. Add the shallots, bell peppers, and a few pinches of sea salt. Cook for 12 minutes or until tender. Add the tomatoes, bay leaves, and Espelette pepper. Continue to cook for 15 more minutes or until the consistency is much like a thick soup. Finish with the sherry vinegar and sea salt to taste, and cover and set aside to keep warm. Remove the bay leaves prior to serving.
• Place a large cast-iron sauté pan over medium-high heat. In a mixing bowl, toss the asparagus, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and a few pinches of sea salt. When the pan is giving off a light smoke, place the asparagus in the hot pan and cook for 2 minutes. Turn the asparagus over and cook for an additional 2 minutes. The asparagus should have good, even char marks all around and be crisp-tender. Remove from the heat.
• Spoon the grits evenly onto 4 plates. Place a poached egg on each plate, and arrange the griddled asparagus and pipérade over the top.

GRIDDLED ASPARAGUS WITH FLAKED ALMONDS & BUTTER

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in boiling salted water for 2 mins. Drain, then toss with a little olive oil. Heat a griddle pan to very hot, place the spears on the griddle and cook for a few mins, turning to get a nice charred effect all over. Meanwhile, melt a knob of butter in a pan. Divide the asparagus between 2 plates, season and top each pile with a drizzle of melted butter and toasted flaked almonds.

GRIDDLED ASPARAGUS WITH PRAWNS & ROUILLE

Steps:

• Snap the asparagus to remove woody ends, then trim. Arrange 4-5 spears in a row and thread onto 2 short skewers (if using wooden skewers, pre-soak for 10 mins). Brush lightly with olive oil, and season. Peel the prawns, leaving the tails on. Cut down the backs to remove the black intestines. Rinse and pat dry with kitchen paper.
• To make the rouille, put the egg, vinegar, mustard and seasoning in the bowl of a stick blender. Add all the oil. Put the blender in the base of the bowl and turn it on. Slowly lift the blender through the mixture until it has thickened to mayonnaise. Put the garlic, pepper, saffron and a little salt in a mortar and grind with the pestle to make a smooth paste. Add to the mayo and mix well.
• Barbecue or grill the asparagus for 3-4 mins, turning once, until tender. Heat half the oil in a pan (over the barbecue if possible), stir in the prawns and cook for a few mins until the prawns are evenly pink. Add the lemon zest and juice, and the remaining oil. Season and heat through until bubbling.
• Place a raft of asparagus on each plate and divide the basil and salad leaves between each. Spoon some prawns over the leaves with some of the pan juices. Serve with the rouille on the side.