Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus w/ Alder Wood Smoked Salt, Poached Egg & Pecorino

by:
February 13, 2010
4
3 Ratings
Roasted Asparagus w/ Alder Wood Smoked Salt, Poached Egg & Pecorino
  • Serves 2 a a main course
Author Notes

This is my version of a dish I had in Como at a tiny little family-owned bed and breakfast called the Belvedere. It was a rain-soaked Italian evening and we were seated near the window. This was my starter course and I ate it while gazing over a stormy lake hooded by a gauzy full moon. I’ve added alder wood smoked salt, to give it a tiny pungency and smoky tint, but you can use regular sea salt if you don’t have alder wood. The poached egg is runny and soft and the yolks and cheese meld together to create a rich sauce slightly reminiscent of a Carbonera. —coffeefoodwrite

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 bunch green asparagus
  • good extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
  • alder wood smoked or sea salt
  • fresh cracked pepper
  • fresh pecorino
  • splash of apple cider vinegar
  • 2 extra large organic eggs
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Rinse and dry asparagus completely and cut off tough ends.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss with hands or tongs to make sure all thoroughly and evenly coated.
  3. Roast in oven for about 9 minutes – tossing half way through, until bright green and tender crisp. Remove to plate.
  4. Poach eggs in a shallow pan of simmering water (adding vinegar just as water begins to simmer). Poach about 3 minutes, until whites are firm and yolks are still runny.
  5. Separate asparagus to two plates, place one warm egg on each pile of asparagus, sprinkle egg with a little more alder wood or sea salt, shave pecorino over top and sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper. Enjoy!
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4 Reviews

aargersi
aargersi April 6, 2010
This might just have to be my breakfast or lunch today ... big double triple yum!!!
 
coffeefoodwrite
coffeefoodwrite February 14, 2010
If you're headed to Napa, there is a great Dean & Deluca there in which I acquired my Alder Wood Sea Salt (and a bunch of other infused salts which I have been coveting and using very very sparingly...). They are in large jars near the charcuterie and across from the wine room. Great selection!


 
TheWimpyVegetarian
TheWimpyVegetarian February 21, 2010
Thanks for letting me know about the Alder Wood Sea Salt, etc. We were indeed in Napa Valley, but I'm heading back up to Napa in the next couple weeks and will be sure to stop at Dean & Deluca's - wonderful place I can get lost in for hours. Thanks for the tip! BTW, I made this dish and it was just as great as I thought it would be. Really loved it!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian
TheWimpyVegetarian February 14, 2010
Coffeefoodwritergirl, this looks amazing!!!! I can't wait to make this one. I love it already. My husband and I are heading to the wine country tomorrow for V-day, but maybe this for a late night dinner with champagne....