Dinner Party Worthy Fresh Asparagus |
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Prep Time: 45 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes |
Ready In: 55 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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There's nothing better than fresh asparagus & this is a very tasty way to serve it & impress for a company meal w/a chicken breast & green salad. Sadly fresh asparagus is rarely available here in Iceland & very expensive when I find it, so I don't fix this often like I did in the US. It can be prepared ahead, but don't refrigerate (read note below). Ingredients:
2 lbs fresh asparagus |
6 hard-boiled eggs (sliced) |
6 slices bacon (sliced crosswise & crisped) |
1/4 cup butter |
1/4 cup flour |
2 cups milk |
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese |
1 tablespoon mccormick lemon-pepper seasoning |
6 tablespoons crushed croutons (cheese flavored) |
chopped fresh chives (to garnish, or parsley) |
Directions:
1. Wash asparagus well & trim stem-ends so spears are 8 long. Parboil spears till just barely fork-tender, but still fairly crisp. Quickly drain & cover w/cold water to stop cooking process. Drain again when cool & set aside.
2. Cut bacon slices crosswise, fry till crisp & drain well on paper towel.
3. Slice ea egg crosswise into 6 slices.
4. To assemble, pat asparagus spears dry w/paper towel & place equally in 6 groups in a 9 x13 baking dish. Top ea group w/1 sliced egg + equal amts of the crisped bacon pieces along their length & set aside.
5. Microwave cream cheese in sml dish to soften & warm slightly. Set aside.
6. Combine butter & flour over med-low heat to make a roux & gradually add milk. Use the flat a spatula to eliminate any lumps as you go.
7. Do not overcook sauce. When milk has been added & the sauce is smooth & thickening, remove from heat & incorporate the softened cream cheese & lemon pepper seasoning salt.
8. Spoon cream sauce over ea asparagus group, dust w/1 tbsp crushed croutons + sprinkle w/fresh chives or parsley.
9. Bake in hot oven (400F) just till bubbling & serve immediately. (Can also microwave till heated through, but do not refrigerate as this will lengthen the cooking time & potentially cause the sauce to separate).
10. NOTES: Sliced fresh mushrooms also work well as an addition - For a 1-dish meal w/only a salad on the side, use this combo to stuff a well-pounded chicken breast & add mushrooms on top as a finishing touch.
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