KENMARE'S ASPARAGUS GRATIN

Kenmare's Asparagus Gratin image

Provided by Elaine Louie

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
2 shallots, finely chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc
1/4 cup crushed pecans
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1 bunch fresh spring asparagus, peeled and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch slices, ends discarded
1/4 cup grated fontina cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
2 large endive, trimmed, and cut into diagonal slices, 1-inch wide
1/2 small head of radicchio, trimmed, and leaves torn into 1-inch pieces
Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
Fresh lemon juice, as needed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, shallots and wine. Place over medium heat and simmer until reduced by half, 20 to 30 minutes.
Spread pecans on a baking sheet and bake, stirring once or twice, until toasted, 10 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, place a skillet over low heat, add panko, and stir until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. When pecans are toasted, remove from oven and set aside to cool.
Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees. When the pecans are cool, place in a blender and chop for a few seconds until coarsely ground. Mix with panko and set aside.
In a mixing bowl combine asparagus, reduced cream, fontina, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Mix well and place in a gratin dish that is about 10 inches long and 4 inches wide, or an other shallow, ovenproof baking dish. Bake until asparagus are tender, the sauce is bubbling and the top is turning golden, 6 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and top with pecan-bread crumb mixture. In a separate bowl, mix the endive and radicchio with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread over the top of the asparagus gratin. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 403, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 34 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 17 grams, Sodium 544 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams