Asparagus with Hazelnuts and Goat Cheese

By: Sally James


  • Yield:

    4 Servings
  • Cuisine:

    French
  • Course:

    Side Dish


Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup Hazelnuts
  • 2 tsp Thyme, fresh
  • 1 1/2 lbs Asparagus, fresh
  • 4 tsp Hazelnut, Walnut, or Olive Oil
  • 1/2 Lemon, grated zest, juice
  • Kosher Salt, to taste
  • White Pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup Goat Cheese, soft

Directions

  1. Place the hazelnuts on an oven tray and scatter with half the thyme. Bake in a moderate oven for 5-7 minutes or until golden and aromatic. Transfer to a clean dish towel, rub off the skins and remove, then chop roughly.
  2. Snap the stalky bases off the asparagus spears and blanch in a large saucepan of rapidly boiling salted boiling water for 1-2 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
  3. Transfer to a bowl of ice water until cold, then dry on paper towels. If preferred, you can also grill the asparagus and serve as a hot salad.
  4. Whisk the oil and lemon juice together and season to taste. Place the asparagus in a bowl and toss with the dressing to coat.
  5. To serve, arrange asparagus on plates or platter and crumble over the goat cheese, extra thyme and lemon zest. Scatter with the hazelnuts.