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Asparagus with Spring Onion Vinaigrette & Wild Fennel Pollen

  • Prep Time:
  • 15 mins
  • Cook Time:
  • 15 mins
  • Total Time:
  • 0 hour(s)
  • 30 mins

This spring-forward dish is inspired by classic Asparagus Mimosa, a beloved French starter of blanched asparagus topped with a simple vinaigrette and sieved hard-boiled eggs. Our take keeps things traditional with one secret addition: Wild Fennel Pollen. This fragrant Tuscan spice adds instant depth and a burst of vibrant fennel freshness (think: fennel fronds and anise) to the dressing—plus it enhances the sweet, bright green flavor of peak-season asparagus.

Recipe, food styling and photography by Asha Loupy. This recipe was originally published on Mar. 25, 2019.

Serve 2-4

Ingredients

  • One pound medium-sized asparagus, trimmed (ends peeled, if desired)
  • 1 small-to-medium spring onion, white and tender greens only, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Wild Fennel Pollen
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground Black Tellicherry Peppercorns
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, such as Pojer e Sandri
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, such as Frantoio Grove, plus more for finishing
  • 1 hard-boiled egg, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • Fleur de sel, for finishing

Instructions

Fill a large pot or high-rimmed skillet with about 3 inches of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add a generous pinch of salt to the boiling water and then add the asparagus. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the asparagus until crisp-tender, about 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness and freshness of the asparagus. Drain, rinse under cold water (to stop the cooking and preserve the asparagus' bright green color) and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.

While the water is coming to a boil and the asparagus is cooking, make the dressing. In a medium bowl, place the sliced spring onions, fennel pollen, salt, pepper and white wine vinegar, and toss to combine. Let the onions macerate for 10 minutes (this will tame the sharpness of the onions and allow the fennel pollen to infuse into the vinegar).

While the onions are macerating, cut the hard-boiled egg in half and remove the yolk. Finely chop the whites and set the yolk aside for garnish. To finish the dressing, add the Dijon mustard and the extra virgin olive oil and mix with a fork until the dressing is emulsified. Add the chopped egg whites and parsley and gently stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.

To serve, arrange the blanched asparagus on a platter and spoon the vinaigrette over them. Crumble the reserved egg yolk over the top and finish with an additional drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of fleur de sel.