Monday, May 12, 2014

Asparagus, Learning Spanish.

AsparagusI was hoping Sunday would be the day for the fresh from the farm asparagus. Sadly, they had asparagus but were limiting it to 1 lb. per customer. Very fair, but as we live an hour’s drive, there and back, away, it just wasn’t worth it. Hopefully today will be a different story. People are often surprised by the way I rave about asparagus from the farm, but honestly it is a whole different vegetable. Full of flavour, so good you can eat it raw, and you never have to break off the ends because it hasn’t been hanging around anywhere. Do me a favour and keep your fingers crossed for me today. I have posted the recipe below anyway for all the asparagus lovers out there and I know I am not alone.

I wrote about having lost/mislaid my Spanish CDs I am pleased to report I found Spanish CDsthem. However, I can only use them on my laptop, they are 32 bit. Something of a nuisance, however. The ‘free’ system I found not only wanted to charge me, but they wanted at least a year’s fees up front. That’s a largish chunk out of my budget. I have been using the CDs I bought a while back, don’t know why I didn’t use them when I bought them, and things are going well. I hadn’t realised their format, they teach you a whole bunch of words and then you play one of two games where they say the Spanish and you click on the picture or English for the item. There is also a section for repeating the words in Spanish. You can also print out the word list of the section you have been learning. You can choose a variety of categories too. Something learnt from the PC programme is that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, Chinese being the first. That does surprise me. When I bought these CDs I bought Portuguese and German too so I guess I should get on and use them too once I am through the Spanish course.

I hope all you Mothers had a wonderful day yesterday. For us, both our mothers are no long with us of course and I am only a step-mom.

This asparagus recipe is specially for JoJo, who said she too loves asparagus and prepared like this they are absolutely delicious, I hope you enjoy them.

Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries

1 lb asparagus, trimmedCrispy Baked Asparagus Fries 500 9142
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
salt and pepper to taste
Alternatively used chopped almonds instead of parmesan

1. Dredge the asparagus in the flour, dip them in the egg and then into a mixture of the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, salt and pepper.
2. Place the asparagus on a wire rack on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 425F oven until golden brown, about 7-13 minutes.

Servings: 2
Source: Closet Cooking

Have a great day
Jo (2)

20 comments:

  1. Oooooh myyyyy! I'm so gonna have to make that recipe!!! Thank you!!!!!!! And you are not 'only' a stepmom. Stepmothers have their place on mother's day too, esp. when you love and care about the kids as if they are your own. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm off to the farm right now JoJo to get some asparagus. Do try this recipe, it's great and I will be posting lots more this month.

      Delete
  2. Never only a step-mom, Jo. My son re-married a wonderful woman and she is step-mom to his two sons, one of whom has autism. She took on the whole package--she is a wonderful step-mom and wife to my son. Bless all the step-moms out there! Have never had fresh asparagus, always snapping off those ends. And congrats for learning new languages, I don't have the consistency to follow through like you do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Thanks for the encouragement although I do live a long way from my step daughters and their families.

      Do check and see if you can get farm fresh asparagus in your area, it really is worth it.

      It's fun learning languages. At least when I get my Spanish up to scratch I can talk to the Dragon.

      Delete
  3. Hi Jo .. Mother's Day - I hope everyone celebrated and gave their mothers or step mothers special treats .. our is Mothering Sunday, the 4th Sunday in Lent - so when this one rocks around I'm ready for a party!

    I've had fresh asparagus here already - British grown - but on Thursday I'm going out to the farm shop and I'd like to get out to the asparagus farm I usually visit - but like yours it's an hour away ... but I'll combine it with some other things in that direction ...

    This recipe sounds delicious ... but I still do my plain with butter and lemon - still cooking for one ... it seems simpler!

    Cheers and let's enjoy it for the next six weeks or so ... Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing special round here I'm afraid. I know you have been munching fresh asparagus already and I am incredibly jealous. I now have some so the jealousy has abated. I buy quite a lot at a time and already have some soup on the hob.

      I understand what you mean about cooking for one, but the above recipe would be very easy to do for one. Mind you, for lunch I will be having plain with butter.

      Delete
  4. Glad you found your CD's.
    Still not a fan of asparagus, but that just means more for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So was I as you can imagine. Tucked into another language box

      Alex you just don't know what you are missing.

      Delete
  5. I have always loved asparagus, but have never made it like this. Thanks so much for sharing, Jo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have lots more recipes coming up Linda.

      Delete
  6. Oh my word! I've got this one saved! I want to go buy asparagus NOW!
    Glad you found the CDs. I hate it when I misplace important, expensive items. Good luck with the learning. I have a feeling you'll be a champ!
    Tina @ Life is Good
    On the Open Road! @ Join us for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just did. 5 lbs. A lot of it is now soup.

      I was quite good at Spanish once Tina, gotta work at it to remember everything though.

      Delete
  7. Soon you'll be teaching me Spanish, Grandmother.
    I adore asparagus. Too bad they are way too expensive sometimes.
    I hope you were celebrated yesterday. Happy belated mother's day. I'll celebrate you twice as an honorary dragon Grandmother! Dragon Hugs!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not likely I don't think.

      Wish I could share my asparagus with you. For the very short season, I don't find them too expensive.

      Nope, no celebrations, thanks for celebrating me. Mucho gusto.

      Delete
  8. Just as fresh asparagus is available in our farm shops, we're flying off to the Canaries for 5 weeks! Bad timing huh!
    Actually, our Italian neighbour on Fuerteventura owns a restaurant which serves asparagus wrapped in bacon in a creamy sauce which is delicious so I won't miss out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bad timing in as much as you can't eat lots of it like I do, but then I don't think anyone eats as much as I do.

      That sounds delicious, ask if he will share the recipe please.

      Delete
  9. I shall make this soup! (And I forgot about the Spring song from Seven Brides which sports some amazing dancing btw.) Now to find an asparagus farm in Texas. I'm on a mission!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do hope you find one Helen. This comment should have been for today's blog I guess.

      Delete
  10. I am going to try this.

    Jo, whenever I see asparagus on a supermarket shelf, I think of you because I recall you writing about going to the asparagus farm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will enjoy it Marilyn, we love it.

      I go regularly to the farm during the season, about once a week depending on how quickly I use up my supply. Make a lot of soups to save in the freezer.

      How's Paris today? Supposed to warm up here this weekend.

      Delete