SEASONAL FAVOURITE: ASPARAGUS

Tuesday 14th April

Asparagus is a British hero vegetable and we love this time of year so we can make the most of this versatile green. The season stems from April to June and we have our favourite recipe below from our Exec Chef, Leigh for you to try at home.

British asparagus is packed full of goodness making it not only a delicious vegetable but a really healthy one too. Here are some fun healthy facts about asparagus and its benefits:

Eating it promotes healthy bacteria and helps reduce bloating

It contains vitamin K which is essential for healthy blood clotting

British asparagus can grow up to 10cm in one day

Asparagus can help cure hangovers (our favourite one)

It boosts your immune system with its rich source of vitamin C (never been so important!)

It contains diuretics which help detox your body

See a delicious recipe below for our favourite seasonal asparagus dish from our pub menus. It’s a real seasonal winner

Grilled Asparagus, Wild Garlic, Poached Egg, Berkswell Cheddar

Asparagus

Ingredients:

1 Bunch of Asparagus

Salt

Olive Oil

Method:

STEP 1: Trim the ends off the asparagus, usually where the colour is fading or an inch off the bottom

STEP 2:You can use the back of a teaspoon to scrape down the stalk to remove loose leaves.Reserve one stalk of asparagus.

STEP 3: Heat a grill pan to a high heat

STEP 4: Drizzle the remaining asparagus with olive oil and a little salt

STEP 5: Place the asparagus on the grill and cook until tender to the touch, being careful to turn the asparagus whilst cooking, using chopsticks rather than tongs should be easier

STEP 6: The remaining stalk of asparagus, peel lengthwise with a peeler. To create ribbons.

Wild Garlic Pesto

Ingredients:

150gm Wild Garlic

100gm Salted Cashew Nuts

½ a Lemon, Juice of

500gm Olive Oil

2gm Salt

Method:

STEP 1: Wash the wild garlic and snap off the stem of each leaf. Shake off any excess water.

STEP 2: In a blender add the wild garlic, cashew nuts and start blending

STEP 3: Drizzle in the oil until a paste is formed. It should be looser than a normal pesto, almost like a dressing

STEP 4: Finish with lemon juice and salt.

Poached Eggs

Ingredients:

2 Each Free-Range Eggs

Water

White Wine Vinegar

Method:

STEP 1: Crack your eggs into separate little bowls.

STEP 2: In a pan add hot water until it is around 5-6cm deep. Add a splash of white wine vinegar. Bring to the boil and turn down to a gentle simmer.

STEP 3: Before adding the eggs, stir the water to create a whirlpool, this will help to create the tear-drop effect on the egg.

STEP 4: Tip the eggs one at a time into the centre of the whirlpool

STEP : Whilst they are cooking wash the wild garlic and snap off the stem of each leaf. Shake off any excess water.

STEP 6: Cook for around 3minutes.

STEP 7: Remove the eggs and drain well on kitchen paper, so there is no water left on them.

Pulling it all Together

STEP 1: Drizzle the wild garlic pesto on a plate.

STEP 2: Place the cooked asparagus down next.

STEP 3: Poached egg next, with a little Maldon salt and cracked pepper on it.

STEP 4: Drizzle the whole dish with a little olive oil.

STEP 5: Grate Berkswell Cheddar cheese over the dish.

STEP 6: Combine the shaved ribbons of asparagus with some picked chervil and a little olive oil, place on top