Friday Food - Asparagus with Tarragon Sherry Vinaigrette

I am of the opinion that it's always wise to interrupt deep thoughts with good food. So, I'm doing that in my blog posts as well. Too much deep thinking is not good without sustenance.

Daniel recently found The Gourmet Cookbook (edited by Ruth Reichl) at the public library and, after we tried some of the recipes, bought a copy from a used book seller. It has over 1,000 pages of deliciousness, and - here it comes, dear friends!! - over 400 pages of baked goods and desserts. That's a cookbook for us!!

Here's a simple Asparagus recipe we tried the other evening and I thought you might like it, too. It reminded me of the way my mother would serve asparagus salads (with white asparagus, though) when I was growing up.

Asparagus with Tarragon Sherry Vinaigrette
from The Gourmet Cookbook

1 1/2 pounds medium asparagus, trimmed
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons minced shallot
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon
1 hard-boiled large egg

Cook asparagus in a 4- to 5-quart wide pot of boiling well-salted water, uncovered, until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes, depending on thickness. With tongs, transfer to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop the cooking. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels.

Whisk together vinegar, shallot, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until well blended. Whisk in tarragon.

Halve egg and force through a coarse-mesh sieve into a bowl. Toss asparagus with 1 tablespoon vinaigrette and divide among four plates. Spoon remaining vinaigrette over asparagus and top with egg.

Our variation: Instead of poaching the asparagus, we brushed it with a little bit of olive oil and then grilled it. It tasted soooo good!!

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When I checked this morning, I saw that there are now 300 followers on my blog! I am simply blown away! Thank you so much - and Welcome to the new readers!! And, as soon as the creative muse visits me again, there will be a giveaway. Promise!!

But for now I wish you a most wonderful Friday and a great start to your weekend!