Cheese And Asparagus: The Perfect Pairing

Asparagus is a versatile and tasty vegetable that can be boiled, braised, pureed, or grilled. It pairs well with a variety of dishes, including meats, seafood, and cheeses. When it comes to cheese, there are several options that complement the earthy and subtly bitter taste of asparagus. Cheeses like mozzarella, brie, cheddar, parmesan, and gruyere are commonly used in asparagus recipes, providing a creamy and indulgent contrast to the vegetable's texture and flavour.

Cheesy garlic roasted asparagus

Ingredients

• Asparagus
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cheese (mozzarella, smoked cheddar, parmesan, gouda, gruyere, fontina, pecorino romano, or feta)

Optional Ingredients

• Chilli pepper flakes
• Fresh parsley
• Lemon wedges
• Bay shrimp
• Shredded chicken
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Salmon
• Chopped onion
• Thinly sliced mushrooms
• Bell peppers

Method

• Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking oil spray.
• Snap off the woody dry ends of the asparagus. A quicker way when cooking a large bunch is to snap the end off one stem first, then line them all up on your chopping board and slice through the rest at the same length.
• In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Arrange the asparagus on the baking sheet and drizzle the oil mixture over the asparagus, tossing to coat evenly.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes until vibrant and just beginning to get tender.
• Remove from the oven and top with cheese. You can use a single type of cheese or a combination of cheeses. Return to the oven and broil (or grill) until the cheese melts and becomes golden (about 4-5 minutes).
• Adjust salt and pepper, if needed. Serve immediately.

Tips

• The thin asparagus takes about 7 minutes to cook, and the thicker ones take about 10 minutes.
• You can also add chilli pepper flakes for some added heat.
• This recipe is also delicious with broccoli or green beans in place of the asparagus.

Baked asparagus with cheddar

A great side dish for spring, baked asparagus with cheddar is a delicious way to get your veggies in. Asparagus is a versatile vegetable that pairs well with a variety of cheeses, and baking it is an easy way to prepare this dish. Here is a step-by-step guide to making mouth-watering baked asparagus with cheddar:

Ingredients:

• Asparagus spears (20 spears or 1 pound)
• Butter (50g or 3 tablespoons)
• Olive oil (3 tablespoons)
• Garlic (1 tablespoon minced or 4 cloves minced)
• Salt (3/4 teaspoon)
• Pepper (1/4 teaspoon)
• Cheddar cheese, grated (1 1/4 cup or 175g)
• Flour (optional, for the sauce)
• Milk (optional, for the sauce)
• Egg yolks (optional, for the sauce)
• English mustard (1 teaspoon)
• Worcestershire sauce (a dash)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F. Start by trimming the woody ends off your asparagus spears. You can snap them off by hand or use a knife. If you're making the sauce, melt 50g of butter in a pan over medium heat, add a small amount of flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the heat, and slowly whisk in milk to create a smooth sauce. Return to the heat, stir, and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat again, and beat in egg yolks, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Now, it's time to assemble the dish. Place your asparagus spears in a greased ovenproof dish. Pour the sauce over the asparagus, if using, or simply drizzle with melted butter or olive oil, and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Top with the grated cheddar cheese.

Bake in the oven for about 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of your asparagus and whether you're using a sauce. Your baked asparagus with cheddar is ready when the cheese is golden and melted, and the asparagus is tender. You can check the tenderness by piercing the middle of a spear with a fork; if it goes through easily, it's ready!

Tips and Variations:

• Try adding some panko breadcrumbs mixed with olive oil on top of the cheddar for a crunchy texture.
• Experiment with different cheeses or a combination of cheeses, such as Parmesan, mozzarella, or a mild melting cheese.
• For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes or garlic powder.
• If you're short on time, steam or blanch the asparagus first, then bake for a shorter time to get it crispy and golden.

Enjoy your tasty and cheesy baked asparagus! It's a perfect side dish for a fancy Easter dinner or a simple spring meal.

Cheesy asparagus gratin

A delicious side dish, Cheesy Asparagus Gratin is the perfect combination of asparagus and cheese. This recipe is simple to make and can be prepared in advance, making it a great option for a holiday gathering or a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

• Asparagus
• Butter
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning/Herbs
• Salt and Pepper
• Cheese (Mozzarella, Parmesan, Gruyere, Brie, or a mix)
• Fresh parsley (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Thyme (optional)
• Cream (optional)
• Breadcrumbs (optional)

Method:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and trim the ends of the asparagus spears. Place the asparagus in a single layer on a baking sheet or an oval baking dish.

In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic, Italian seasoning or herbs, and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle or stir this mixture over the asparagus.

Place the asparagus in the oven and roast for 8-10 minutes, until tender but still crisp.

Remove from the oven and top with your choice of cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

For an extra crispy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese sauce before baking.

Once the cheese is melted, remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can use a variety of cheeses, such as mozzarella, Parmesan, Gruyere, or Brie.
• For a more indulgent dish, drizzle heavy cream over the asparagus before adding the cheese.
• If you want a crunchy topping, add breadcrumbs and broil for a minute or two until golden.
• This dish can be prepared in advance and baked 20 minutes before serving.

3-cheese asparagus

This delicious 3-cheese asparagus recipe is a great way to get your veggies in and is a perfect side dish to any meal. It's also a fantastic option if you're looking for a low-carb or keto-friendly option.

Ingredients:

• Asparagus spears
• Butter
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning (or herbs of your choice)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Brie cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

First, cut off the woody ends of the asparagus spears. You can snap off the ends or cut them with a knife. Then, boil the asparagus in a saucepan of water for about 10 minutes to blanch them.

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet or pan with aluminium foil and lay the asparagus stalks on it. Season the asparagus with salt and pepper.

Now, it's time to add the cheese! Slice the brie and place the slices on top of the asparagus. Then, dice the cheddar and cover the brie with it. Finally, sprinkle grated mozzarella on top.

Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. For an extra crispy and golden finish, turn on the oven's broiler for the last few minutes, keeping a close eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Serve your 3-cheese asparagus immediately while the cheese is still hot and bubbly. Enjoy!

Variations and Tips:

You can also try roasting or grilling the asparagus instead of boiling it before adding the cheese. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and your desired herbs or seasonings, and roast or grill until tender. Then, add the cheese and return to the oven or grill to melt.

Feel free to adjust the amounts of cheese to your preference. Some people find that the original amounts result in too much cheese, so you may want to reduce the quantities or use a mix of cheeses that you have on hand.

Get creative with your choice of cheese! While this recipe calls for brie, cheddar, and mozzarella, you can experiment with other cheeses that pair well with asparagus, such as parmesan, gruyere, or feta.

Asparagus and ham gratin

Asparagus and Cheese

Asparagus is a versatile vegetable that pairs well with many types of cheese. Some popular choices include mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss cheese. Cheeses that melt well and have a mild flavor tend to work best with asparagus.

A delicious and savory baked casserole, asparagus and ham gratin combines asparagus, ham, cheese, and corkscrew pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce. This dish is relatively simple to prepare and makes for a hearty and comforting meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of condensed cream of asparagus soup (Campbell's)
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups cooked asparagus, cut into pieces
• 1 1/2 cups cooked ham, cubed
• 3 cups corkscrew macaroni, cooked
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• In a 2-quart shallow baking dish, mix together the soup, milk, onion powder, black pepper, asparagus, ham, pasta, and half of the cheese.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until the mixture is hot and bubbling.
• Remove from the oven and stir the mixture.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
• Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips and Variations:

• You can use roasted asparagus for added flavor.
• For a touch of spice, add 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder.
• If you prefer a different type of cheese, feel free to substitute cheddar or Swiss cheese with Gruyère, Comté, or mozzarella.

Frequently asked questions