Asparagus Asian Style, With Buttered crumbs; With eggs and herbs and Avocado Shrimp Salad a la Ritz; South America Shrimp Boats; and Lime Pie..RECIPES the A list for fine Springtime Dining

 Spring is in the air and the markets are bursting now with fresh asparagus and avocado's here are some great, and simple ideas/recipes to make them feature more in your meals:



Asparagus Asian Style

Asparagus With buttered crumbs

Asparagus with eggs and herbs

Avocado Shrimp/crab Salad a la  Ritz

South American Shrimp/crab boats

Avocado Lime Pie



Asparagus Asian Style
serves 2

1 pound asparagus
1/4 cup olive oil
2tbsp low salt soy sauce
1 inch minded ginger root
2 cloves garlic smashed and minced
pepper to taste

Wash and trim the asparagus and cut on a diagonal into 1/2 inch slices
Saute in the hot oil for 4-5 mins.
add the ginger root and minced  garlic and saute for 2  mins more.
Add soy sauce and remove from heat.
Season with pepper and serve immediately ..delicious with steamed brown rice or soba  noodles




Asparagus with buttered crumbs
serves 4 as a side dish
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
2tbsp butter

2 garlic cloves smashed and minced
2 scallions minced
1tsp smoked paprika
 1 1/2 pounds asparagus washed and trimmed
sea salt

3 tbsp cider or red wine vinegar

In a small skillet brown the breadcrumbs in hot butter  and set aside
Plunge the asparagus in boiling salted water and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp tender, remove and set in a warmed dish.
In the skillet, saute the garlic & scallions for 2 mins, add the vinegar and pour over the asparagus, top with the buttered crumbs and smoked paprika and serve immediately




 
 Asparagus with eggs and herbs  serves 4-5 as a side dish

1 1/2 pounds asparagus
1/2 cup good salad dressing or 60% vinegar/lemon juice to 40% olive oil
2 hard boiled eggs, minced
3 tbsp minced parsley
2 tbsp minced scallions
1 tbsp minced pitted olives

Cooke the asparagus in boiling salted water until crisp tender, drain and place in warm serving dish
Heat the dressing and add the other ingredients and pour over the asparagus..serve immediately.


 

 

 
Avocado  Shrimp/Crab Salad a la Ritz  serves 2-3

2 cup cooked, peeled and de-veined shellfish
2tbsp chopped tomato
2 scallions minced
1/4tsp dried tarragon
1/2 tsp sea salt

4 tbsp good mayonnaise
1/4 tsp chili powder or hot sauce

1 large ripe avocado, halved and seeded
watercress or roasted red pepper strips to garnish (optional)


Combine the first 8 ingredients and toss very gently to mix.
Criss cross the avocado flesh with a sharp knife, then mound the shell fish-mayonnaise mix on top.
decorate with fresh water cress and or strips of roasted red pepper..serve on cold plates with or without Spring salad greens


South America Shrimp/Crab Boats

Serves 4

2 large ripe avocado's
lemon juice

1 cup chopped fresh tomato
1 tsp sugar/honey
pepper to taste
1/2 tsp hot mustard
1 tsp minced ginger root
1/4 cup minced parsley
2 scallions minced
2 tbsp minced fresh mint
1tbsp cider vinegar
3 tbsp lemon juice
2tbsp olive oil

2 cups cooked de-veined shrimp or prepared cooked crab meat

watercress or salad greens


Halve and seed the avocados and remove the flesh with a spoon...chop, then add to the chopped tomatoes and set aside.

Rub the inside of the shells with lemon juice and set aside.

Mix all the remaining ingredients except the shell fish and watercress/greens.
Add this to the tomatoes and avocado chunks and carefully mix together.
Fold in the shell fish.
Pile this mixture into the avocado shells ..top with watercress or ground paprika and serve on abed of chilled salad greens


 
 
 Avocado Lime Pie...this is really delicious and may be made with fresh orange juice or lemon juice as well.


1 pre-baked 9 inch pie shell

1 large ripe avocado (1 1/4 cups flesh)

1 x 14ozs cab sweetened condensed milk
grated rind 1 lime
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 egg yolks (may omit and use instead 2 tbsp soy lecithin)
Pinch of salt
Avocado strips for garnish
Chopped nuts (optional) 

mash the avocado, and combine with the milk, 
lime juice, lime zest beaten egg yolks and salt.
Fold in the avocado and turn into the baked shell.
Chill covered for 3-5 hours.
Garnish with chopped nuts and avocado slices (dipped in lemon juice to stop discoloring)

serves 4-6