GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH GARLIC AND LEMON

GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH GARLIC AND LEMON image

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 lb fresh asparagus
1 tablespoon salt (for blanching)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh shallots
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
gourmet salt (such as kosher or gray)
fresh ground pepper
foil
water
ice
Lemon slices and toasted sliced almonds for garnish

Steps:

Prepare asparagus by trimming the tough bottom portion from the stalks, and then rinsing in cold water to clean. Blanch the asparagus stalks, by placing a few at a time, in boiling salted water for two minutes. Remove and immediatly immerse asparagus in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. After cooling, place on paper towels to dry completly. Place asparagus on top of a piece of foil, that is large enough to loosely wrap all of the asparagus. Drizzel the oil and lemon juice over the top of the asparagus, and thoroughly mix in the minced garlic and shallots. Wrap the asparagus completly in the foil completely sealing the package. Prepare the grill to medium high heat. Place the sealed packet of asparagus directly on top of coals, or gas burner for 3 minutes. (You should hear the sizzling from within the packet almost immediatley). Carefully turn the packet over and cook for another 3 minutes. Place the packet in an indirect cooking position on the grill, and carefully open the packet (which may have to be done with a knife). Close the grill cover and continue to cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the asparagus is al dente'. Remove asparagus from foil packet to serving dish and season with the gourmet salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Garnish with lemon slices, toasted almonds and serve.