Asparagus vinaigrette with sieved egg and pickled pink onion

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
Salt
Ground black pepper
½teaspoonGranulated white sugar
½cupWhite wine vinegar; plus 1 tablespoon more for vinaigrette
1smallRed onion; sliced thin & separated into rings
cupFresh Italian parsley; minced
2teaspoonsFresh tarragon. minced
1tablespoonCapers; drained
1Strip orange zest; sliced thin & blanched 10 seconds then minced
1tablespoonOrange juice from a small orange
½teaspoonDijon mustard
¼cupOlive oil
poundsFresh asparagus; rinsed, ends snapped
1Hard-boiled egg; peeled, white diced fine, yolk left whole for sieving

Directions

1. Mix ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, sugar, and ½ cup vinegar in nonreactive bowl. Put onion slices in colander in sink-, pour boiling water over them. Add warm onions to vinegar mixture with enough cold water to cover. Let stand until onions are pink, about 15 minutes. Set aside.

2. Put parsley, tarragon, capers, and orange zest in small bowl with pinch of salt-, stir in juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Whisk in mustard, then slowly whisk in oil. Adjust seasonings and set aside.

3. Bring 1 inch water to boil in soup kettle. Put asparagus in steamer basket, then carefully place basket in kettle. Cover and steam over medium-high heat until asparagus spears bend slightly when picked up, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer asparagus to clean kitchen towel to dry.

4. Arrange asparagus on platter. Spoon vinaigrette over it. Lift ¼ cup or so of onion rings from liquid and scatter over asparagus. Sprinkle diced egg white over asparagus, then push yolk through sieve so that it falls evenly over salad. Serve.

Cook's Illustrated, May/June 1995, Page 23. Credit: Deborah Madison.

Nationality: USA Course: salad Season: spring Method: steamed Start to Finish 1 hour Preparation 20 minutes Attention 30 minutes Finishing a minute or less

Converted from Mangia!, Cook's Illustrated 1993-1995 Cookbook NOTES : The pink onions and sieved egg make this salad utterly springlike in appearance. You only need a quarter cup or so of the pickled onions, but the leftovers are great in salads or sandwiches.

Recipe by: Cook's Illustrated, May/June 1995, Page 23.

Posted to MC-Recipe Digest by "Hobbs, D B USO" <hobbs@...> on Mar 18, 1998