Roasted Asparagus with Grape Tomatoes and Mushrooms

We were shopping at HyVee and there was this wonderful bunch of asparagus.  Looking through some ideas on Pinterest, I came across a recipe which I modified.  Came out just delicious.

I snap off the tough ends of the asparagus and then use a vegetable peeler to peel the stems, I think it looks nice that way.  I read a chef on Food and Wine who said he does this because, 

"it looks cool!"

That is non-stick foil lining a pie dish, easy clean up.

Next, slice some mushrooms.  I keep reading this debate on whether to wash mushrooms OR wipe them off with a damp towel.  I saw Alton Brown toss mushrooms into a mesh strainer, run water over them and toss them around--works like a charm.  Then lay them on a paper towel to dry.

Take the grape tomatoes and cut them in half.  

Toss everything in some olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.

Back into the pie dish and arrange in a pretty pattern.  

Sprinkle on some grated parmesan cheese.  Use your judgement as to how much you like, or 

omit it altogether.

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.  Roast until the asparagus is tender crisp.  

Use the tip of a knife to test doneness.

Enjoy friends!

Springtime Quiche

I am starting to dig out the springtime recipes from my recipe book and cookbooks!  It's time for some refreshing recipes with ingredients that are available now.

First the crust.  Since I don't make a lot of pastry crusts, 

consider this one "rustic" looking when it's done!

OK?

1 C flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 C butter (cold, cut into pieces)
2 Tbl. cold cold water

Combine the flour and salt, add the pieces of cold butter.

Use a pastry thingy to cut the butter into the flour until you have course crumbs.  

Work quickly so the butter stays nice and cold.

Sprinkle in the cold water a little at a time just until the flour is moistened.  Dust some flour on the counter, shape the dough into a ball, then flatten into a disk.  See those pieces of butter in the dough--

that, my friends, is a GOOD thing.

Now roll out the dough into a 12 inch circle about 1/8 inch thick.  

Place in the pie pan and crimp the edges.
Rustic looking, don't you think??

For the filling you will need 2 C of shredded cheese 

(cheddar, cojack, jack, whatever you like), Ham, 

4 eggs, 1 1/2 C milk or half & half, salt, pepper, and a few asparagus spears.

Put the cheese on the bottom of the crust, top with the ham, then arrange the asparagus spears in a spoke pattern on top of the ham.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt & pepper in a bowl..  Pour egg mixture over everything -- slowly -- so you don't mess up this beautiful creation.  Into a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 40 - 45 minutes.

If the edges of the quiche crust start to brown too much before cooking time is up, 

shield the edges with some aluminum foil.  

The quiche is done when it's puffed up and set in the center.  

Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Cut the quiche into wedges and serve.  

Enjoy friends!

yum, Yum, and YUM!

Chicken Breast Amandine

Chicken, chicken, let me count the ways!  I had the ingredients on hand and decided this recipe sounded good.  Thank you Epicurious.  (By the way, the Epicurious app is way cool!)

Here's what you will need for two hungry people:
2 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 Tbl olive oil
1/4 C sliced almonds
1/4 C dry white wine
1/4 C water
1 garlic clove minced and mashed into a paste with a pinch of salt
1 Tbl unsalted butter
2 Tbl parsley
fresh lemon juice to taste
A bunch of asparagus, woody ends trimmed off.
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Prepare the asparagus ahead of time by trimming off the tough ends, place in a foil lined baking dish.  Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and ground pepper.  Set aside.

Heat the oil in a skillet until hot but not smokin!  Brown the chicken which has been patted dry and seasoned with sea salt and ground pepper.  Saute for 2 minutes on each side.  Reduce the heat to low and cook until cooked through.  Transfer to heated plates.

Meantime in a 400 degree oven roast the prepared asparagus until it's tender crisp.  

Add the water, wine, garlic paste to the skillet.  Boil and reduce to half.

Take the skillet off the heat, add the butter, parsley, almonds, and a squeeze of lemon.  Stir to make a nice sauce.

Spoon the almond sauce over the chicken!  Oh My!

Tonight I added a crisp romaine salad with tomato wedges and ranch dressing.  The Simply line of dressings are just that, Simple.  No added stuff!

Oh, and the "Pots of Creme" that I made last night---Not pronounced

Pots of Cream, instead, Po Deau Creahm, Po Deau Creahm.  So French! 

So delicious! Thanks Pioneer Woman Blog!

Dessert!  Oh, Stop Right Now!!!

Ok, don't stop!

The Little Black Dress Merlot complimented the Pots of Creme --- deliciously!

Just one more shot of that dessert.  Sorry! I can't stop!

Enjoy friends!!

Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Asparagus Salad

These are skinless and boneless thighs.  The dark meat is rich and delicious!  

So gather up the ingredients and let's get cooking.

6 Chicken thighs 

1/4  C. low sodium Soy Sauce

2 Tbl. Rice Vinegar

2 Tbl. Brown Sugar

2 garlic cloves, grated or minced

1 tsp. grated fresh ginger root

1/4 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes.

Combine the marinate ingredients, mix well, and pour into a zip lock bag.  

Throw in the chicken thighs, mush them around.

Seal the bag and into the fridge for 2-4 hours.

Here's a close up on grating the ginger root, do the garlic the same way!

Time's up!  Take the chicken thighs out of the marinate,

and arrange them on a broiler pan.

Turn the oven broiler on high and broil these for 8 - 10 minutes,

flip them over and broil for another 8 minutes.  They will be really tender!

The finished product.  Tender and very flavorful.  

Note: sprinkle on some sesame seeds.

There was fresh asparagus at the store today, 

so along with the chicken I made this salad:

Slice some asparagus spears crosswise into about 1 1/2 inch slices

Slice some mushrooms, and halve a few grape tomatoes.

Steam the asparagus until tender crisp, 

and saute the mushrooms in olive oil until tender.

Mix up the dressing:  

1 part soy sauce, 1 part oyster sauce, 1 part olive oil, 1 part  honey.

Pour on the dressing, toss and mmmmmmm.

Serve this salad cold or at room temp.

Enjoy, friends!