Vetous Asparagus
This recipe for Vetous Asparagus is a great way to hero this seasonal vegetable.
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon duck fat or olive oil
60g pancetta, bacon or ham, chopped
1 small bunch of spring onions, sliced in half lengthwise
1 small bunch green garlic shoots (aillets), cut in half lengthwise (if available)
500g fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut in thirds
1 mint leaf
sprigs of fresh thyme
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1⁄2 glass white wine or water
1 tablespoon butter, optional
METHOD
Heat the duck fat or olive oil in a heavy, covered sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta, bacon or ham and cook briefly.
Add the onions and garlic, sautéing gently until half cooked. Place the asparagus in the pan. Add the mint leaf, a little thyme and salt and pepper.
Cover and cook slowly for ten or fifteen minutes. If the asparagus is fresh, no additional water will need to be added as it gives up its water and makes a delicious sauce at the same time.
Add the water or wine to the pan and continue cooking without a lid until the asparagus is tender. The wine will marry with the juices to make the sauce.
Remove the asparagus and onions to a warm serving platter.
Reduce the sauce left in the pan by simmering briskly over a high heat until slightly thickened. If you like, stir in the butter to enrich the sauce further just before you remove it from the heat. Pour the
sauce over the asparagus and serve hot. Serves 4
Keep up to date with
dish weekly recipes,
food news, and events.
Related Content
latest issue:
126
We start by sharing what’s on the dish team’s radar, what we’re watching, listening to and reading. Harry Butterfield puts a twist on his Nonna’s agnolotti, Malissa Fedele reminds us of the importance of fibre, and Phoebe Holden fulfils a long-held dream, sitting down with Yotam Ottolenghi. Autumn is an abundant time, we make the most with pumpkin, kūmara, cabbage, cauliflower, feijoas, apples and pears. We’re dishing up dinners for two, including a Chicken Dumpling Lasagne, alongside easy weeknight meals. We honour our mums, revisit timeless classics, and add a little baking challenge. This issue, we encourage you to slow down, to enjoy writing your shopping list, and spending time in the kitchen. Because even when life feels relentless, there’s always space to share something delicious.