PROVENCAL ASPARAGUS WITH TOMATO (FRENCH)

Provencal Asparagus with Tomato (French) image

Provided by Next Iron Chef All Star: Beau MacMillan

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 large Roma tomato
1 bunch jumbo asparagus spears
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves chopped
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves chopped
4 sprigs fresh parsley, leaves chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 piece Parmesan, for shaving

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.