Asparagus With Anchovy Butter

Serves 4-6

6-8 stalks fresh asparagus
2-3 tablespoon butter
2 (125 ml) salt cured anchovies, chopped
1 garlic clove, sliced
1/2 cup fresh sage leaves
1 tablespoon pine nuts
Pinch of salt
Pinch dried chilies
2 tablespoons Blue cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup Polenta, cooked

Trim asparagus stalks to the same length, cook 3-4 minutes in salted boiling water until cooked but still crispy. Drain on a towel.

Sauce:
For the sauce, melt butter in a hot pan. Add anchovies, garlic, sage leaves, pinenuts, chilies and salt. Stir and cook until bubbly.

Firm Polenta:
1/2 cup polenta
2 cups water or chicken stock
pinch of salt

Place stock and salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil then slowly add the polenta, stirring occasionally. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add a tablespoon of butter and about 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until butter is melted. On an 8 inch plate, grease with 1 tablespoon of olive oil then pour polenta on top. Smooth to edges of plate and allow polenta to cool to room temperature.

Cut polenta into wedges and place on plates. Arrange asparagus spears on top. Place blue cheese in middle, grated Parmesan on top of blue cheese, then pour hot anchovy sauce over all. Serve immediately.

*Recipe from my food blog on 26 September 2007 posting (photo included)

If you'd like more delicious recipes and wine pairings, join my newsletter.

Visit 's wine and food blog The Culinary Chase.


If you liked this recipe, you may also like these seafood & shellfish and wine recipe pairings:




Return to recipe homepage.

You get my Free Newsletter with articles and tips just for signing up below. But for $2.10/mth, the cost of an incredibly tiny coffee at Starbucks, your wine drinking pleasure will soar.

World's Best Wine Writer

Natalie who?
Yes, I'm a certified sommelier and was named the World's Best Wine Writer at the World Food Media Awards. Blah, blah, blah. What really matters is that I know which wines can increase your hedonistic happiness... a lot. Don't worry, spam doesn't pair well with wine!

Natalie Maclean

Already one of our thirsty clan? SIGN IN

Want the best wines for your taste and budget?

Try my premium service...

FREE FOR 30 DAYS






Natalie Maclean's Wine Subscription
welcome back!
Need to register? Click here
Forgot your password? Reset

Already one of our thirsty clan 151,108 strong? Sign in here:

Email:
Password:
  Remember Me
 

Already one of our thirsty clan? SIGN IN
 

You get my Free Newsletter with articles and tips just for signing up below. But for $2.10/mth, the cost of an incredibly tiny coffee at Starbucks, your wine drinking pleasure will soar.

World's Best Wine Writer

Natalie who?
Yes, I'm a certified sommelier and was named the World's Best Wine Writer at the World Food Media Awards. Blah, blah, blah. What really matters is that I know which wines can increase your hedonistic happiness... a lot. Don't worry, spam doesn't pair well with wine!

Natalie Maclean
You just clicked on paid content, but you can try it for one month free right now...

Want the best wines for your taste and budget?

Try my premium service...

FREE FOR 30 DAYS






Natalie Maclean's Wine Subscription
You can get my tips on the best wines & bargains in VA liquor stores ...