White Asparagus with Gribiche Sauce and Edible Flowers

Name: White Asparagus with Gribiche Sauce and Edible Flowers
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H35M0.000S
Yield: 6 appetizer servings
Cuisine: french
Ingredients: 2 dozen white asparagus, trimmed, stems peeled (see Cook's Note); 3 hard-boiled egg yolks (whites reserved for another use); 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 tablespoon chopped capers; 4 cornichons, chopped; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon; Salt and pepper; Edible flowers, for garnish, optional

Getting reviews...

White asparagus is a seasonal favorite of the French. At first I found just the look of them a little off putting--not like the vibrant green stalks you usually associate with asparagus--but they really are worth a try. This is a vegetable to be enjoyed in season with a flavorful sauce. The asparagus themselves are not particularly tasty, but they stand up well to a tart lemon, or spicy mustard, sauce.

Level: Easy

Total: 35 min
Active: 25 min

Yield: 6 appetizer servings

Level: Easy

Total: 35 min
Active: 25 min

Yield: 6 appetizer servings

Ingredients

2 dozen white asparagus, trimmed, stems peeled (see Cook's Note)

3 hard-boiled egg yolks (whites reserved for another use)

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped capers

4 cornichons, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

Salt and pepper

Edible flowers, for garnish, optional

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. Working in two batches, boil the asparagus until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. (Be careful not to overcook the asparagus, as they will lose their shape and start to wilt.) Transfer the cooked asparagus to the ice bath to stop cooking and then drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
In a small bowl, mash the egg yolks and mustard to a paste with a fork. Add the vinegar and whisk to combine. While whisking, add the oil in a slow, steady stream to make an emulsified sauce. Stir in the capers, cornichons, tarragon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Refrigerate until ready to use.
To plate, crisscross a few asparagus on six individual plates. Drizzle a bit of sauce all around and on top, and sprinkle with a few edible flowers if desired (they add color to the plate and are perfect for a springtime celebration).

Cook’s Note

I find it easiest to lay the asparagus on a board while peeling them so they don't snap. I also trim the bottoms of the asparagus so they are all the same length, as I find it presents better on the plate.