What is the best thing to serve with asparagus as a starter Or should you serve it by itself It just doesn't seem right Help please?

Answer 1

Asparagus is always a welcome starter for any event, other than a wedding. The only reason it's discouraged for a wedding is that it can often cause an unwelcome odour when voiding.

Asparagus can be presented in several different ways: Steamed, with a rich hollandaise sauce. Or perhaps chilled, and wrapped in a light Prosciutto. Prosciutto, also known as Parma ham, is a dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced and served uncooked. It can be wrapped around the Asparagus and served with a lemon half, wrapped in yellow cheese-cloth, tied with bright ribbon.

Another option is to roast the Asparagus, lightly dusting it with a Parmesan cheese.

You might consider a baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce, or a favourite of mine is Asparagus fried in a Tempura batter, served with a soy based dipping sauce. You could consider adding other complimenting items to your starter, such as a feathered prawn, sweet potato, or yam slice, mushroom slices, or even sliced sweet Cubanelle peppers of different colours (red, yellow, orange).

Finally, if you're an adept cook, consider preparing an Asparagus soufflé! Your guests will be impressed with your simple soufflé, served in ramekins, and complimented by either a lemon or lime wedge, or a lime-half, wrapped in yellow cheese-cloth (available at any fine cookery supply store). And don't forget your doilies, to be placed on the serving plate, beneath the ramekins!