Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg and Shaved Parmesan Cheese

Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg and Shaved Parmesan Cheese

What are your new year resolutions for 2011?  Is getting on a diet one of them?  If it is, that’s really too bad because “diet” is not on my dictionary list.  I’m pretty sure visiting my blog and looking at all kinds of mouth-watering food won’t help either.  Honestly, I love food too much to ever get on a diet (and yes, I always eat for 2 even when I’m not pregnant, according to my husband).  Plus, dieting never works for me.  If I lose 2 pounds this month, I’ll surely gain back 4 pounds the following month.  So, what’s the point?     

Anyhow, eating more healthy is definitely one of my New Year Resolutions.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ready to give up my cheesecakes or dark chocolates just yet.   You’ll still see posts and recipes with cakes and desserts on this blog.  Of course, I do taste test on all my finished products (and sometimes, taste tests during the cooking process) before posting recipes here just to make sure the dishes taste excellent!  To me, moderation is the key to a healthy diet.  Eating 1 particular food group too much or cutting a particular category entirely from your diet never sounds right to me.  I always like to eat a well balanced diet and I DO count my calories intake (and to me, fluffy cakes contain ZERO calories).  Unfortunately, I usually lost count on my 5th visit to the cookie jar before mid-afternoon, so go figure.  Sometimes, I purposely eat a lighter brunch so I can have a bigger piece of cake for my afternoon tea.  (hm….somehow that doesn’t sound right at all!  LOL)   

Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg and Shaved Parmesan Cheese

This is one of my favorite light weekend brunch, Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg and Shaved Parmesan Cheese.  You can serve it with a piece of toast on the side for dipping if you like.  I love the runny yolk on my asparagus, it’s beautiful and delicious!  I made this dish with this Egg Poacher Set, which I received as a Christmas Gift this past year!  It’s now one of my favorite kitchen gadget.  It is so easy to use and produce perfect poached eggs every single time!  The non-stick coating does wonder and made clean-up a breeze.  If you don’t have an egg poacher, simply poach your eggs with a small non-stick saucepan with a few drops of vinegar added to the water.  They’ll come out perfect.  (Please see additional tips and recipe from this post below.)          

Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg and Shaved Parmesan Cheese
                                                                     

                                    **GIVEAWAY**
The American Egg Board is giving a year’s worth of eggs (valued at around $100) to six lucky food bloggers. This is your opportunity to prove that food bloggers are the new media by helping to break this story! To qualify to win, you can do one of two things (or both, separately, if want to increase your chances of winning). You can:
  1. Write and publish an original post which provides a favorite breakfast recipe that uses eggs and includes mentions and links to Kitchen Play and the American Egg Board.
  2. Venture into the world of food journalism by writing and publishing an original post discussing the new study which shows that eggs are lower in cholesterol, and how this news affects the way you cook with eggs. Posts must include mentions and links to Kitchen Play and the American Egg Board. For more information about this study, click here. To speak with a representative of the AEB, send Kitchen Play an email via the Contact page and we will refer you to the appropriate person.
  3. This contest is open to US residents only.
Once your post (or posts) is published, leave a link to it in the comments section below. The contest is open until midnight, February 28, 2011. Winners will be chosen at random.
                                      




Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg and Shaved Parmesan Cheese:

Servings: 2

1/2 pound asparagus, washed and tripped off the tough ends
2 large eggs
a small block of parmesan cheese for shaving
olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly grounded pepper
a few drops of white wine vinegar (it helps the egg to hold its shape)

Preheat oven 425F. Place the asparagus on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil then toss to coat the asparagus completely.  Spread the asparagus in a single layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast for 15 minutes or until crisp-tender.

**Note: the asparagus I use were quite thin, if you use thicker ones, roasting time might be longer** Meanwhile, prepare the eggs.  Use a pan that is at least 3-inches deep so there is enough water to cover the eggs.  Bring water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer. 

Crack each egg into a small bowl.  Slip eggs carefully into the simmering water. With a spoon, gently nudge the egg whites closer to their yolks. Immediately cover with a lid and turn off the heat. Set a timer for exactly 3 minutes for medium-firm yolks. Adjust the time up or down for runnier or firmer yolks.

When ready, remove eggs from water with slotted spoon.  Place on top of asparagus. Sprinkle with pepper and a few shaves of parmesan cheese.

41 comments:

  1. I usually don't make resolutions because I break them within the month lol. I am watching my diet but I do not overdo it! This is a beautiful dish for breakfast.

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  2. My outlook on "dieting" is the same as yours. Although I do count calories and workout 6 days a week though. I also am like you eating rabbit food throughout the day to indulge on a piece of cake or a pan of brownies but who's counting? Haha! I need to get that egg poacher just for the ease of it. Recently I posted about perfect poached eggs and was proud that I finally got it down. This sounds so incredible! Asparagus is an ingredient that makes me giddy! Happy eating!

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  3. This sounds perfect for brunch. Eating healthy is how we do things around here, too. I think the "d" word just makes me crave fatty, sugary foods.

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  4. This looks so lovely! And by the way, diet is a 4 letter word!

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  5. That is beautiful! And I agree with you about moderation. As long as I avoid sugar and eat real food, all is good.

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  6. Hi
    Thanks you so much for commenting on my blog. U have such a nice recipes.THE Birthday Cake—Orange Angel Food Cake something different will try soon.
    Thank You.
    http://cookingwithme-a.blogspot.com

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  7. This is gorgeous... and healthy too. "Diet" is not in my dictionary either, LOL. I've seen chopped hard-boiled egg as a topping, but a poached egg is a nice option too. Good one!

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  8. This is a combination of things I love in a way I haven't tried them before. You can be certain that I will soon!

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  9. What I did resolve is to eat more vegetables, and I adore asparagus! It looks wonderful with that poached egg. :)

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  10. poached eggs looks gorgeous and roasted asparagus is my all time fav...thanks for stopping by my blog and for ur kind words of appreciation love to be here too :)

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  11. I love this dish! It looks fresh and includes ingredients that I already love:)

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  12. Oh my goodness Amy...your Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg and Shaved Parmesan Cheese is amazing. What a perfect dish for a small brunch. I can't wait to try this dish. Thank you so much for sharing this with us today here at Full Plate Thursday. You have a great week end and please come back!

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  13. I could never diet either... I just love food way too much! Eating healthier is definitely one way to deal with the issue and this dish is a wonderful start. It looks so good! My mouth is watering just looking at your pictures!

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  14. I love fresh asparagus and the cheese? Yum!

    Have a great week!

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  15. Oh man, this looks delicious! I would have never thought to serve those two foods together. Thanks for the new idea! Thanks for linking up on Recipes I Can't Wait to Try!

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  16. Ooooh I love roasted asparagus. The flavor combination sounds amazing.

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  17. I also want to start eating healthier this year and this recipe sounds fantastic!!! I love poached eggs:) Have a lovely day
    kisses

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  18. What a great unique recipe and this will go on my list of must tries. So glad to find your blog!

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  19. This is a lovely dish and your pictures are wonderful!

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  20. What beautiful asparagus you found -- that would make a lovely light lunch. I agree with you that diet should be banned and moderation should be encouraged. Joni

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  21. P.S. You've won a blog award! When you get a chance, pop by Susannah's {Kitchen} to pick it up.

    http://www.susannahskitchen.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html

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  22. Roasted asparagus is so good, the addition of a poached egg and Parmesan is brilliant.

    -Brenda

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  23. I love asparagus.I can't wait for fresh asparagus that grows around our house.
    I make it with Parmesan as well, but the poached egg is a brilliant idea.

    ~Bibi~

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  24. Thanks so very much for linking to Saturday Swap! What a beautiful blog you have... I'm looking forward to being a regular reader. This recipe sounds unlike any I've tried before.... I'm bookmarking it to try soon. It's beautiful. Have a super weekend!

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  25. I am so happy you commented on my blog yesterday! Your recipes look amazing and I completely agree with the dieting thing. I just will not do it anymore. I do eat in moderation as well. I just try my best every day (some are better than others...lol). So nice to meet you - I'm your newest follower :)

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  26. Yum!!! Beautiful, Delicious and Healthy!

    Smiles,
    Lilly

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  27. Heaven! My husband love dishes like this...I will put this on our plate soon!

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  28. Amy - here's a little something for you when you have time. (NO obligation to repost) :)
    http://the-country-cook.blogspot.com/2011/01/blogger-awards-and-big-thanks-to-you.html

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  29. What a beautiful meal! There is just something wonderful about asparagus and eggs. I'm visiting from the Country Cook and wanted to congratulate you on your award. We definitely try to eat healthy around here and I'm always looking for inspiration. I'm now your newest follower and look forward to getting to know you.

    Candace

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  30. What a stellar combo of flavors, and great since eating healthier is also on my list of "things to do in 2011". Beautiful to look at, too.

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  31. That looks like such a delicious combination. I love how the egg spreads all over the asparagus when you cut into it.

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  32. I love asparagus (just had it for lunch) and eggs. So this is perfect for me. My gosh...your poached egg looks so beautiful..round like a ball...love it.

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  33. I love how this dish looks with that egg running into the asparagus and that parmesan cheese must add a fantastic flavor.

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  34. i love this idea. runny eggs can just maximize on so many flavors and i bet they do wonders with this dish! thanks so much for posting! love your blog ;)
    -meg
    @ http://www.clutzycooking.blogspot.com
    @
    http://www.myscribblednotebook.blogspot.com

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  35. Congratulations Amy! You are featured on Full Plate Thursday this week 2-3-11. Come by and pick up your Red Plate.

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  36. You're pictures are GREAT! I just discovered poached eggs last year and I will never go back to eating an egg any other way! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am definately clicking to follow you!

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  37. Dropped by from Miz Helen's Blog. It's a beautiful dish and I will definitely give it a try

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  38. The asparagus part look yummy. Everyone these days is using the square plates .. I need to buy some as well.

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