White Asparagus & Leek Tartines With Mustard Butter

 

White Asparagus & Leek Tartines With Mustard Butter

More brittle and earthy than its green sibling, white asparagus becomes sweet and delicate when poached with leeks in a bath of white wine, stock and herbs. The mixture is served atop sourdough toasts slathered with punchy mustard butter for French-style crostini.
Ingredients:
1 big or 2 small leeks
1/2 cup (125 mL) plus 2 tbsp (30 mL) unsalted butter, softened, 

   divided
1/2 cup (125 mL) dry white wine
3/4 lb (340 g) white asparagus, tough ends trimmed, peeled from 

   from where it begins to taper.
1 cup (250 mL) chicken or vegetable stock
1 bay leaf
2 thyme sprigs
1 small lemon, halved, seeds removed
2 tbsp (30 mL) grainy mustard
6 slices sourdough bread, cut 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick from loaf about 5 

    about 5 inches (12.5 cm)

Directions:
Trim dark green leek tops and save for next time you make stock. Halve white parts lengthwise and rinse thoroughly. Cut leeks into 4-inch (10-cm) sections. Slice sections lengthwise into 1/4-inch- (5-mm-) thick strips. Place in a bowl of water. Gently swirl to loosen dirt. Lift leeks into a colander to drain.

Heat 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add leeks. Cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add wine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add asparagus, stock, bay leaf and thyme. Squeeze juice from lemon halves into pan and drop halves into pan. When it comes to a simmer, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until asparagus is fork-tender—it will bend easily, but not be limp—depending on thickness, 15 to 20 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus and leeks to a plate. Discard bay leaf, lemon and thyme. Increase heat to medium and reduce liquid to 1/4 cup (60 mL), about 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix mustard with remaining 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter until combined.

 Toast bread then spread mustard butter generously on each slice. Top each toast with asparagus and leeks. (If necessary, cut spears to fit toasts.) Drizzle reduced poaching liquid over each toast.   Serves 6

Spring Lamb Rack

Spring Lamb Rack

The size of the eye of the meat will alter the time it takes to roast the chops. The thicker the eye, the longer it will take. In general, the rule of thumb is 15 minutes to the inch (2.5-cm).  Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 racks of lamb
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
Marinade
2 tbsp (25 mL) grainy mustard
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh rosemary
2 tsp (10 mL) chopped garlic
¼ cup (50 mL) olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:
Season racks with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat and add racks, fat-side down. Sear until golden, about 2 minutes. Pick up the racks with tongs and sear the back and each end as well. Place on baking sheet.

For marinade, combine mustard, rosemary, garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper. Spread over racks, including bones. Marinate for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450ºF (230ºC).

Bake racks for 12 to 15 minutes or until medium rare. Let sit for 5 minutes before carving down into chops. Serve 4 chops per person. Serves 4

Spring Lamb Rack

The size of the eye of the meat will alter the time it takes to roast the chops. The thicker the eye, the longer it will take. In general, the rule of thumb is 15 minutes to the inch (2.5-cm).

Serves 4