Weekend Round-Up

 Best winter sunrise photo
The sun's early rays are reflected on the ice. It was a breathtaking sight with hues of blues and pinks.

Asparagus 

Whether it's grilled, roasted, or baked, asparagus is a refreshing way to add flavor and nutrients to any meal. And with so many ways to prepare asparagus, the variety of recipes seems endless. The tender veggie adds sophistication as a side dish, an appetizer, part of 

your main course or brunch.

Lemon-Roasted Asparagus With Parmesan
Recipe serves 6 and adapted from Healthy Living Magazine
Ingredients:

• 2 bunches of asparagus with ends snapped off
• 1- 1/2 tablespoons olive oil or lemon olive oil
• 4 minced garlic cloves 
• peeled zest (in long strips) and juice of 1 lemon
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• Shaved Parmesan
• Sliced almonds
• Drizzle of Balsamic vinegar

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone pad. 
• Toss the asparagus with the oil, garlic, lemon zest, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes.
• Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and roast 20 to 25 minutes, tossing occasionally until browned.
• Drizzle lemon juice to taste over asparagus and transfer to a serving dish. Discard strips of lemon zest, sprinkle with shaved Parmesan and almonds.

Ham and Asparagus Quiche

Cook's notes: I started with a basic recipe from Midwest Living April 2014 and went from there. I substituted white cheddar for the yellow cheddar cheese but Swiss cheese can also be used. Torn spinach leaves (1/2 cup) can be substituted for ham cubes and the quiche makes a great vegetarian meal. Recipes makes 2 small quiches or one large one.
Ingredients:

• 1 package Pillsbury rolled refrigerated pie crusts (2 in a box)
• 3/4 tsp. each dried parsley flakes, dry mustard and herbes de Provence
• 1 cup diced ham
• 6 oz. asparagus spears cut in 2 inch lengths
• 1/2 cup green onions, diced
• 2 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream 
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard

Directions:

• Let pie crust stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees and place each pie crust in a pie pan, crimp edges.
• Line pastry shell with 2 sheets of foil (blind baking) overlap the foil so edges will extend over the pie pan.
• Bake for 8 minutes, remove foil and bake 3 minutes more. 
• Mix in a blender eggs, cream, half and half and spices.
• Bring salted water to a boil, add asparagus, boil 1 minute. drain and pat dry. 
• Brush bottom crusts with Dijon mustard.
• Divide the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese between both pie pans.
• Divide the onion, ham and chopped asparagus spears between two pans
• Tear foil strips and place around the outside edges of each pan to avoid over browning.
• Divide filling and slowly pour into prepared pie pans.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, reduce to 300 degrees and bake 25 minutes more.
• Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
• Freeze the extra cooled quiche.

Enjoy your last two days of 2018