Recipes for Asparagus

Asparagus grows wild in many parts of Andalucia and as a result hasalways formed a part of the Mediterranean Diet which is now being hailed as oneof the healthiest in the world. Asparagus plays its part in this conclusionas it is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, K, B1, B2 and folate.

Folate is of particular importance in helping to maintain cardiovascular healthand in helping to prevent certain birth defects.

Another ingredient in asparagus is inulin which helps to promote healthyflora in your gut and it also contains significant levels of the anti-oxidantselenium.

If all this isn't enough to make you want to include asparagus in your diet,it tastes good too! and here are some great recipes for cooking asparagusapart from just boiling it and covering it in butter.

You can use either wild or cultivated asparagus for these recipes.

Asparagus a la Andaluza.

Ingredients.

500grs. asparagus50ml. olive oil4 eggs1 slice of bread diced without crusts.

2 cloves garlic1 tsp. paprikaHalf tsp. cumin150 ml. water + 1 tbs.

1 tbs. vinegarsalt and pepper

Method.

Discard the woody ends of the asparagus, chop remainder into short lengths and blanch in boiling water for 2 mins.

Drain well. Heat the oil in a flame proof casserole dish and fry the bread and garlic until toasted.

Place in a blender with the paprika,cumin, vinegar, tablespoon of waterand the salt and pepper. Sauté the drained asparagus in the oil for 5 mins.

Add the mixture from the blender and simmer for about 15 mins. until the asparagus istender.

Add more water if required.

The sauce should be thick but not dry.

Break the eggs, one per person, on top of the cooked asparagus,sprinkle with paprika and place in the oven until the eggs are set.

Serves 4 as a starter or a side dish, good with Swordfish.

Asparagus GratinadosIngredients.

1 kilo asparagus3 tbs. butter50 grs. grated cheese1 tbs. chopped onion50 grms. chopped ham2 tbs. flour220 ml. milksalt and pepper

Method.

Cut off the thick ends of the asparagus, tie in bundles and cook standingupright in plenty of salted water until tender, approx. 10 mins.

Drain well and place on buttered dish.

Melt the butter and sauté the onion and ham for a few minutes. Stir in the flour,çadd the milk and cook slowly until it has thickened.

Season with salt and pepper.

Pour the sauce evenly over the cooked asparagus and sprinkle with the grated cheese.

Place in a hot oven or brown under the grill until the top is crisp and bubbly.

Serves 6.

Scrambled eggs with Asparagus.

Ingredients.

100 grams of asparagus tips.

100 grams ham2 tbs butter4 eggs, beaten wellsalt and pepper.

Blanch the asparagus tips in boiling water. Dice the ham. Melt the butterin a frying pan and sauté the ham and asparagus tips for a few minutes.

Add the beaten eggs along with the salt and pepper and stir over a lowheat until the eggs are set.

Makes a light supper or lunch dish for 2 served with crispy bread.