Asparagus and Spring: Great Recipe Ideas

With a peak season in March and April, I think the vegetable most closely associated with spring is asparagus.   It seems to grace the cover of every magazine.  Everyone is tired of root vegetables after this long and snowy winter and the image of a green asparagus just screams spring.

History of Asparagus

Asparagus is a member of the lily family – see very spring.  This vegetable has been around for centuries and was popular among the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. Emperor Augustus is said to have coined the phrase “as quick as cooking asparagus.”  Louis the XVI also loved the plant and had his gardeners grow it year round in green houses, stemming  its modern romance.  Thomas Jefferson had a whole garden reserved for growing asparagus.

How to Purchase and Store Asparagus

Asparagus is on the expensive side and tends to be a party food. That’s because you can’t harvest an asparagus plant for the first three years, and it is labor intensive to grow.  It is high in Folic Acid and a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, A and C, and thiamin.

Many people are a little unsure of what to do. When selecting asparagus, choose firm stalks with deep green tips that are closed.  Asparagus with slimmer stalks tends to be more tender.  Store them with the bottom wrapped in a damp paper towel in the coldest part of the refrigerator.  As with all fresh things, eat as soon as possible to get the most  flavor and nutrients.

5 Great Recipes Ideas

As the Romans knew, cooking asparagus is a snap.  Just steam or drop a bundle in boiling water for a couple of minutes, until bright green.  You can also spray with a little oil and grill for a short period.  Asparagus can be used in a variety of ways – straight as a salad with a little dressing, as a crudités with any dip or in other interesting recipes.  Here are two salad dressings you can use with asparagus, and three other delicious Two Sisters Gourmet recipes.

Five Great Recipes to Show Off Asparagus

1. Oh Honey! Dill Vinaigrette
2. Onion Chive Herb Salad Dressing
3. Asparagus Spears Wrapped in Prosciutto
4. Smoked Salmon Asparagus Wraps
5. Asparagus Tomato Bake

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Leave a Comment March 23, 2010

One Small Catalog for PartyLite – One Big Step for Two Sisters Gourmet

Ok, so today I will be unabashedly commercial. After all, without Two Sisters Gourmet I wouldn’t get to blog.  Today is the culmination of a year long journey of integrating Two Sisters Gourmet into the PartyLite family.  With the new Winter/ Spring 2010 Catalog available today, we are finally national!! The one thing I know for sure, is that once you have tasted it, you’ll be hooked!

We’ve had lots of help over the past year, beginning with our PartyLite Consultants– thank you Gina Fletcher and Tammy Martin for being our pilot Regions. And in the PartyLite Home Office – thank you Karen Conkey, Liz DiPaolo, Joyce Elven, Mary Brunelle, Christa Silvieus, Debbie Holmes, Dana Harrell, Marye Cozzens, Rachel Kane, Cindi Ford, Kim Beson and the rest of the U.S. team for taking me under their wing and adding Two Sisters Gourmet into their product line.

Now it’s up to you to find you favorites and send me feedback for the future shape of this collection. Become a PartyLite Facebook fan and see if you can win TSG product!

 You’ll notice in the new catalog that there are four tasty new offerings: Swirled Cheddar Merlot Cheese Mix, Sun-Roasted Red Pepper Seasoning, Bursting Blackberry Cabernet Preserve and Ripe Pear Chardonnay Preserve. These were designed to bring the feel and freshness of wine country to your table.

When you have TSG in your pantry, remember to check out the recipe box for mouth-watering ideas on how to use each item at least three different ways! TSG brings extra excitment to your everyday cooking and helps you prepare dishes that are quick, easy and delicious.

I had a great time tasting and refining products with you.  My tasting cart is becoming a welcome sight here at the office. We’re currently finalizing the new items for the next catalog – plus, I can’t wait to get new ideas at the Fancy Food Show in January!

Please share your favorite TSG items and how you use them. I know a lot of you are just as excited as me, spread your enthusiasm and write a guest post for the blog.  
 

Thank you for welcoming Two Sisters Gourmet into PartyLite and now onto tables nationwide!

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16 Comments December 16, 2009