Today is a sad day……we used the last of our asparagus….whah whah whah!!!
Fresh asparagus season only lasts a couple of weeks in new beds like ours. Hopefully when they are fully established we can get as much as 8 weeks. No matter the harvesting time, we enjoy it to the fullest.
For our last bunch, I wanted to make Tim creamed asparagus on toast. It is so yummy!! But alas, it is not the prettiest dish in town……my mission…..if I chose to accept it……. put a pretty face on creamed asparagus on toast.
Delicious, scrumptious, succulent, mouth watering, do I have your attention??? These are just a few of the words to describe the Scallop Bacon Burger… it was truly amazing! Somethings just go together, you know, they are meant to be……like Tim and I , but thats another story.
So, what do you have for Saturday lunch?? I like a sandwich…….Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich. I have commented on two things recently …….1. We have a lot of asparagus and 2. I seem to throw out too much food. The asparagus is not a problem…..we could eat it everyday. But the chicken, I took it out of the freezer and it would not wait.
It was Saturday and we needed lunch……..I needed to use the chicken. Ok……. a chicken sandwich. I was thinking grilled with grilled asparagus…. but that seemed……..well sorta boring. I love grilled sandwiches, with gooey fresh mozzarella cheese. Chicken…. I poached mine but you can easily use left over chicken…….tomatoes, why not, make that sundried tomatoes, the kind in oil. I think they are the best, they have a sweet, intense taste and chewy texture. Onions to me are necessary for any sandwich. My ingredients so far were leaning towards Italian flavors. How about pesto??? Can you use asparagus for pesto? You bet your sweet bippy you can……you will really need to be of a certain age to get that reference. Roasted asparagus and garlic, basil, almonds, and olive oil, blended to a yummy spread…….I really could have just eaten it with a spoon!
Toast the bread on all sides, add the cheese to start melting, layer with chicken, tomatoes, and onion. Smear the other side of the bread with the asparagus pesto, and toast until desired toastiness. Slice and enjoy. Asparagus Pesto Chicken Sandwich……..Saturday lunch!!! Ok you can have it other days…..like any day you want an awesomely, delicious sandwich!
3-4 ounces asparagus, ends trimmed ( about 1/2 bunch)
4 garlic cloves, peeled
coconut oil spray
1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup olive oil
salt and pepper
Sandwiches
4 slices of bread
8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
About 2 cups cooked chicken
Sliced red onion
About 2 cups cooked chicken ( any left over chicken will do )
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spray baking sheet with coconut oil spray. Chop asparagus and toss onto to pan in one even layer. Add the peeled garlic cloves. Roast in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
In a food processor, puree together the asparagus, garlic cloves, Parmesan, almonds, and basil. Drizzle in olive oil process until smooth and paste-like. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Spray bread slices with coconut oil spray on both sides.
Place bread on a grill pan, or skillet, over medium heat, to toast bread slices. Once both sides are golden brown, place cheese on bread, layer with sun dried tomatoes, chicken, and red onion slices.
On the other slices of bread smear the Asparagus pesto. Top the other bread with this one to form the sandwich.
