Author Notes: Years ago, at an otherwise unmemorable restaurant in Paris, my parents and I ate a dish of white asparagus in a vanilla sauce. The delicacy of the white asparagus was perfectly complemented by the vanilla, and the whole plate was something that lingered in our memories. My mother has been trying to recreate that dish for the past ten years, and this is her version. White asparagus is more delicately flavored but tends to be woodier than green asparagus. It also takes longer to cook. —Savour
Serves: 4
Ingredients
Asparagus
-
1
pound thick white asparagus
Vanilla Beurre Blanc
-
1/2
whole vanilla bean, split
-
1/2
cup dry white wine
-
1/4
cup champagne vinegar
-
1/2
tablespoon minced shallots
-
8
ounces cold butter
-
1
tablespoon creme fraiche
-
salt to taste
Directions
Asparagus
- Break the ends of the asparagus stalks off at the natural breaking point.
- Peel the asparagus from the ends to the bottom of the tips.
- Steam the asparagus for 10-20 minutes until tender.
Vanilla Beurre Blanc
- Combine shallots, vinegar and wine in a small saucepan.
- Split the vanilla bean, scrape out the seeds, and add the seeds and the pod to the wine and shallot mixture.
- Reduce the mixture over medium high heat until it’s about 1/4 cup in volume, and is a syrupy glaze.
- Remove the vanilla bean pod, add the cold butter in lumps, and whisk vigorously until the butter is incorporated. Add creme fraiche and taste for salt.
- Serve warm sauce over asparagus.
