Thursday, March 27, 2008

Asparagus Torta

This recipe comes from the inside wrapper on the asparagus from James' family's farm!

Ingredients
2 lbs asparagus cleaned and trimmed
6 eggs
3 Tbsp virgin olive oil, divided
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1-1/4 Cups Parmesan cheese
1 Cup seasoned bread crumbs

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F, oil bottom and sides of an 8x8x2 pan. Cook asparagus until tender and let cool, cut into small pieces. Beat eggs with 1 Tbsp of olive oil, and asparagus, salt and pepper, mix well. Add cheese and breadcrumbs to mixture. Pour into prepared pan and drizzle a little olive oil on top. Bake approximately 45 minutes, until nice and brown. Cool and cut into squares to serve.

Tip(!): When we're feeling really special, we use just the tips of the asparagus to make this recipe, reserving the stalks for a shaved salad.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Rolled Sugar Cookies

Just in time for Easter, here's the perfect recipe for a sugar cookie that keeps its shape!

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preparation
1. Whisk together flour and salt a set aside.
2. Using your mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until well blended.
3. With mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until the two are thoroughly blended.
4. Turn out the dough onto to some waxed paper and divide into two portions. Roll to 1/4 inch thick (get wooden slats from the hardware store and straddle the rolling pin across them to make them to make a perfectly even thickness). Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
5. Cut out shapes and bake 12-16 minutes, until cookies are just golden around the edge.

Decorate and share! (for complete instructions and great decorating ideas, consult a professional book called Cookie Craft.