Author Notes
Asparagus, how do I love thee, let me count the ways... At this time of year I cannot get enough asparagus. They manage to accompany me home from the market every time I shop. In order to cultivate this love affair, it's nice to have a few recipes to choose from to keep this springtime dalliance interesting. In this recipe, springy green asparagus are enhanced by lemon and a luxurious tarragon infused aioli. Crispy prosciutto shards keep it real with a salty, porky crunch. —TasteFood
Test Kitchen Notes
The tarragon aioli is out of this world -- lemony, creamy and springy. It's perfect with the asparagus. The crispy prosciutto is also, of course, ideal as a partner to the asparagus. TasteFood understands that in-season asparagus needs little more than lemon juice, zest, salt and olive oil. This dish would work well as a veggie and dip or as a first course. - Emily —The Editors
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Ingredients
- For the Tarragon Aioli
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2
very fresh large egg yolks
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1
large garlic clove, peeled
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2 tablespoons
freshly squeezed lemon juice
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1 teaspoon
Dijon mustard
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1/2 teaspoon
sea salt
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1/2 cup
extra-virgin olive oil
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1/2 cup
canola oil
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2 tablespoons
chopped fresh tarragon
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1 teaspoon
finely grated lemon zest
- For the Asparagus
-
6
thin slices prosciutto
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1 1/2 pounds
green asparagus, ends snapped off, bottoms cut on the diagonal
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2 tablespoons
extra-virgin olive oil
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juice of half a lemon
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Lemon zest for garnish
Directions
- For the Tarragon Aioli
-
Combine the egg yolks, garlic, lemon juice, mustard and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Process until homogenized. Combine oils in a small bowl. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in oil until the mixture comes together and thickens. Transfer to a bowl and add tarragon and lemon zest. Cover and refrigerate until use.
- For the Asparagus
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Preheat oven to 325 F. Arrange prosciutto slices in one layer on a baking tray. Bake in oven 20 minutes. Turn off oven. Keep prosciutto in oven for additional 10 minutes. Remove and cool.
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and blanch briefly until they are bright green in color, but still firm, 1 minute. Remove, drain and refresh under cold water. Lay on a kitchen towel in one layer to cool and thoroughly dry.
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Arrange asparagus on a platter. Drizzle with olive oil. Squeeze 1/2 lemon over. Sprinkle with sea salt. Break up the prosciutto into shards and scatter over the asparagus. Garnish with lemon zest. Serve with Tarragon Aioli on the side or drizzled over asparagus.
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