I serve this sometimes as a
first course for dinner parties. It’s a
very pretty presentation and you can place it on the table in advance.
Kosher salt (for boiling
water)
12 ounces asparagus (cut off
ends and shave ends with a veggie peeler)
(count out approximately 4-5
per person)
Arugula Pesto – see below
1 log goat cheese (or fresh mozzarella
if you prefer)
a bunch of radishes
Boil water with some salt in
a pot or a deep frying pan to fit asparagus.
Add asparagus and cook until
just tender, about 4 minutes depending on thickness of your asparagus. Test with a fork.
Remove from the water (using
tongs) and plunge into icy water – being careful not to break off ends.
Drain asparagus and set aside
to cool.
Make Arugula Pesto
2 cloves garlic
½ cup of pine nuts
4 cups arugula (roughly
chopped)
¼ cup Olive oil (more if
necessary for proper consistency)*
1 lemon (squeezed)
Kosher salt and pepper **
Using a Cuisinart – put your
garlic and pine nuts in first – pulse.
Add your arugula – pulse
again – using a spatula to clean sides.
While machine is running add
olive oil to the top streamer.
If you want a more liquid
consistency add more olive oil.
*I like to use a light olive
oil when I’m making arugula pesto because arugula can have an intense flavor.
Squeeze your lemon in. If you prefer start with ½ then add more if
you like.
Pulse again until blended.
Taste – add salt and pepper
to taste.
**Arugula has a very peppery
taste so you may not even need to add any pepper at all.
Notice I do not add any
Parmesan cheese to this recipe. I like
to keep it light.
Arrange the asparagus on
individual plates – approximately 4-5 each.
Slice the log of goat cheese
into thick disks and lay over the asparagus spears.
Spoon some of the arugula
pesto over the cheese.
After washing radish using a
vegetable peeler, arrange some slices on the plate.
You can garnish with extra
arugula leaves if you like.
You can also serve this dish
as a buffet item and place all of your asparagus on a platter instead of
individual plates.
If you prefer basil pesto,
place that on top instead of arugula pesto.
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