Bacon and Asparagus Potato Salad

Bacon and Asparagus Potato Salad

This salad may be served warm or at room temperature.

Dressing:
half a red onion, finely diced
15ml red wine vinegar
15ml dijon mustard
15ml cold water
45ml olive oil

1kg baby potatoes
200g smoked bacon, chopped into pieces
one small bunch of green asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2cm lengths
1 red onion, sliced
a handful of soft herbs (basil, parsley, sage, chives)

For the dressing:
Add the diced onion, vinegar, mustard and water to a small bowl and mix together.
Gradually add the olive oil, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens.
Taste the dressing and season with salt and pepper.

Cook the potatoes until soft. Drain the water and place in a large mixing bowl.
Cook the bacon in a pan until crispy and then add the asparagus pieces.
Stir-fry on a medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
Pour the bacon, asparagus and pan juices over the potato and mix through.
Add the sliced onion and herbs.
Pour the dressing over while the salad is still warm and mix to serve.

Asparagus Lemon Chicken

Asparagus Lemon Chicken

4 skinless chicken breasts
80ml flour
30ml olive oil
30ml butter

Sauce:
125g butter
50ml flour
125ml chicken stock
250ml white wine
125ml lemon juice
1 bunch green asparagus, trimmed
125ml grated parmesan cheese
30ml chopped parsley
lemon wedges, to serve

Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
Season the 80ml flour with salt and pepper and dredge the chicken in it.
Add the olive oil and butter to a pan set over medium-high heat and wait for it to warm up.
Fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes preside and remove from the pan.

For the sauce:
Turn the heat down to medium.
Melt the 125g butter in the same pan and sprinkle the flour over it.
Cook while stirring for one minute.
Add the chicken stock to the pan and whisk the sauce continuously.
Pour in the white wine and lemon juice and stir until blended.
Return the chicken to the pan, cover with a lid and cook for 20 minutes.
Remove the lid and add the asparagus.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Take the pan from the heat, stir in the parmesan and sprinkle over the chopped parsley.
Serve the chicken with lemon wedges on the side.

Asparagus Gratin

Asparagus Gratin

1 large bunch of green asparagus
80ml cream
5ml wholegrain mustard
5ml flour
2 cloves garlic, minced
2,5ml salt
black pepper
80ml Panko breadcrumbs
250ml mature cheddar cheese, grated

Set your oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 200℃.
Parboil the asparagus in salted water for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat, drain and plunge the asparagus into ice cold water for a minute. Drain on kitchen paper.
Arrange the asparagus in a gratin (any ovenproof) dish and set aside.
Stir the cream, mustard, flour, garlic and half the grated cheese together and season with salt and pepper.
Pour the mixture over the asparagus and top with the breadcrumbs and the remaining cheese.
Bake for 12 minutes.
Increase the oven temperature and grill until golden brown – about 2 minutes.
Serve immediately.