Asparagus With Orange Shallot Sauce

Asparagus With Orange Shallot Sauce
Recipe by Laura Caulder

It's spring and that means lots and lots of asparagus. Asparagus is one of my favourite vegetables and this time of year, I can't get enough. When I saw Laura Caulder, from French Food At Home, make this dish, I knew I had to try it immediately...like that night. :) It tastes amazing and it is oh so pretty. This dish is elegance on a plate. Enjoy!

Yield: 4

Ingredients:
2 oranges
1 pink shallot
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey (my addition)
Salt and pepper
20 spears green asparagus, trimmed
Parmesan cheese, for shaving

Directions
1. First, make the dressing: Zest one orange into a bowl, then juice both oranges and boil the juice down in a small saucepan to about 3 tablespoons. Meanwhile, mince the shallot and put it in a ramekin with the vinegar poured over. Set aside five minutes. Add the mustard to the zest.

2. When the orange juice has reduced, strain it over the zest. Drain the shallot, discarding the vinegar, and add. Whisk all together, then slowly whisk in the oil and honey. Taste, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

3. Bring a sauté pan full of water to the boil. Salt it, then add the asparagus and cook until tender. Drain, and immediately rinse under ice-cold water to set the colour. Pat dry with paper towels and transfer to a serving platter. Spoon over the sauce.

4. Shave over Parmesan cheese. Grind over some pepper and serve.