Asparagus Appetizer Recipes

This recipe is really easy and you can add your own ideas with different salad vegetables to suit your tastes.

I would not recommend pre-grated parmesan cheese, and if you've tried it and think you don't like parmesan cheese - try the real thing and think again! The blocks seem expensive when you buy them but the last block I bought for about £5 has lasted from Valentines Day to mid June and is still going strong. The flavour is amazing.

INGREDIENTS

A fresh lettuce - chose your favourite or a range of fresh salad leaves(straight from the garden will always taste best)

16 - 20 thin asparagus spears as fresh as possible - a variety that eats well raw

small block of parmesan cheese to grate

2-8 tomatoes depending on their type (more small ones or fewer big ones) small tasty vine tomatoes will taste best

6 slices of salami

3 hard boiled eggs (peeled and sliced)

small tin of sweetcorn

A nice light mayonaise

Directions

1. Wash and chop the salad and place on plates
   
   
2. Wash the asparagus, snap off the ends and cut into inch long pieces sprinkle on the salad
   
   
3. Place chopped tomatoes, sweetcorn and hard boiled egss on plate ( be a bit decorative!)
   
   
4. Chop the salami into small pieces and sprinkle on top
   
   
5. Grate parmesan over the whole lot
6. Finally add a little of your favourite mayonaise and ENJOY....,

Cooking Time: 8 mins  
Prep Time:      10 mins
Serves:              4

Where to Buy Asparagus and what to look for

Asparagus Varieties

Asparagus Season

Basic Preparation of Asparagus

Equipment for Cooking Asparagus

When and How to Harvest Asparagus

This dish as with most dishes will be much better if you can use fresh herbs, either straight out of the garden or off the window sill.

Try this with white or brown bread, or try it with a few crumbs of stilton in each parcel...

INGREDIENTS

8 oz cream cheese

Fresh chives - chopped roughly (if available)

1 lemon, zested

8 rashers smoked bacon

20 slices thin sliced brown bread

20 stalks of asparagus, ends snapped off

2 Sweet Red Peppers

8oz butter, melted

Directions

1. Snap the ends off the asparagus.
   
   
2. Cut the red pepper lengthways into long thin slices.
   
   
3. Grill the bacon until crispy, absorb any fat with kitchen roll, allow to cool and then chop finely or crumble.
   
   
4. Place cream cheese, chives, lemon zest and bacon in a bowl and mix together.
   
   
5. Cut the crusts off the bread.
   
   
6. Spread the bread with the cheese mixture.
   
   
7. Place a stalk of asparagus and a slice of red pepper on each slice of bread and roll up.
   
   
8. Use a cocktail stick to keep them rolled up if needed.
   
   
9. Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
   
   
10. Freeze the rolls.
    
    
11. Partially defrost then cut each roll into 3 equal pieces.
    
    
12. Bake at 190 degrees C (375 F) for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
    
    
13. Eat whilst still warm....

Cooking Time:  10 mins  
Prep Time:       10 mins
Serves:              4

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