Asparagus With Walnuts
- 1 14 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 lb fairly thin asparagus, ends trimmed and discarded, cut into 2 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 12 cup Fisher Walnut Halves, lightly chopped
- 12 teaspoon paprika
- 18 teaspoon cayenne
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Fill a large bowl halfway with ice cubes and add some cold water.
- Place a colander squarely inside the ice bath.
- The colander will keep you from having to pick the asparagus out from amongst the ice cubes in the ice bath.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Add 1 teaspoon salt.
- Add the asparagus and cook for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
- You want them to be crunchy.
- If the asparagus are thicker, cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
- Remove the asparagus from the water using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the colander inside the ice bath.
- Move them around gently so the ice water penetrates the asparagus and accelerates the cooling process.
- Vegetables take longer than you think to cool so allow them to sit a few minutes in the ice water.
- Hold a piece of the asparagus in your hand for a few seconds to assure that its really cool (even in the center).
- If the piece still feels warm, allow them to cool longer in the ice bath.
- Place them on a kitchen towel to drain any excess moisture.
- Heat oil a medium skillet until hot (but not smoking), add the walnuts and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- They should bubble and fry slightly in the oil.
- When you can smell the walnuts, add the paprika and cayenne and lower the heat to medium.
- Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, and transfer the mixture to a bowl.
- Set aside.
- Toss the asparagus in the bowl with the walnuts and the oil.
- Let this mixture sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or a few minutes.
- When ready to serve, stir in the lemon juice.
- Serve immediately.
kosher salt, thin, extravirgin olive oil, fisher walnut halves, paprika, cayenne, lemon juice
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/asparagus-with-walnuts-506098 (may not work)