As you’re reading this, I’m soaring high above the clouds on my way to a biking adventure that begins in Amsterdam – “excited” hardly describes how I feel. I’ve been doing research on Dutch cuisine: both traditional and street food. Myself and 20 other adventurous women will be touring traditional tourist must-sees like Keukenhof, The Hague, and, of course, the “coffee shops” and red light district, but as a food lover and writer, I hope to eat like a local while we’re cycling our way through the Dutch countryside on our Bike/Barge trip from Amsterdam to Bruges with CycleTours.
I’m posting this as I’m packing and wishing that the last thing on my mind is how I don’t have enough time to write 6 blog posts to schedule while I’m gone. But at least I have a feeling of accomplishment in fulfilling my first challenge with the Five Star Foodie Challenge group. I can breath a sigh of relief because for a while there it looked as if I was going to fail miserably due to the fact that I could not find the main ingredient called for in the challenge! Thank you Bristol Farms for coming through!
Considering I’ll soon be experiencing Spring in all its splendor in a sea of fragrant blossoms of hyacinths and tulips, it was serendipitous that the Five-Star Foodie Challenge for April was white asparagus, revered as the ultimate Spring delicacy in Germany and The Netherlands during this very time. I plan on seeking out traditional preparations, like Asparagus with Ham and Hollandaise Sauce, while I’m biking through the villages and flower fields of Holland.
According to Karin Englebrecht, an Amsterdam-based food and travel writer who writes restaurant reviews for TimeOut Amsterdam magazines and travel guides:
“You couldn’t possibly find a more Dutch way of eating asparagus than Asparagus Hollandaise with ham and chopped boiled eggs. And, for those of you who feel the need to point out that Hollandaise sauce is French, some historians believe that it was actually invented in the Netherlands and then taken back to France by the Huguenots. A recipe for Hollandaise sauce appears in a Dutch cookbook by Carel Baten, which dates from 1593. Once looked down upon as peasant food, white asparagus is now regarded as “witte goud” or ‘white gold’. Heritage aside, this simply is the best way to enjoy this delicious delicacy.”
So, to honor the white asparagus and its delicate flavor, I kept it simple, adding only sweet crab meat and fresh ingredients from the garden that would complement, without overpowering, the ivory spears. To give the salad my signature, I concocted a bright sauce of green asparagus and shallots and a white balsamic and Meyer lemon vinaigrette to dress it. Garnished with slivers of purple radishes and edible flowers, The Don and I savored this delightful salad with a bottle of bubbly while gazing upon the pastel hues of our rose garden in bloom and the tender green shoots dotting the garden beds.
White Asparagus and Crab Salad
1 bunch white asparagus, stalks peeled
1 lb. crab meat
1 bunch watercress
Garnish: French radishes and chives, edible flowers (optional)
Cut off 1 inch of the asparagus stems and discard. To peel the stalks, gently hold the tip and using a vegetable peeler to shave the length of the stalk. Blanch the spears in boiling water for about 4 minutes. Remove and transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Allow the water to come to a boil again and blanch the green asparagus for the sauce.
Asparagus Sauce
12 green asparagus, chopped into 1 inch pieces
1 shallot, diced
1 Tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons half & half
Cut off 1 inch of the asparagus stems and discard. Cut the remaining spears into 1 inch pieces. Blanch the asparagus in boiling water for about 4 minutes. Remove and place in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Use 1 cup of the stems for this sauce. Reserve the tips and remaining stems for use in a salad, omelet, risotto, or pasta dish.
Heat the butter in a skillet over med heat. Sauté the shallots for 2 minutes. Add the asparagus and sauté for another 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree – I prefer mine a little chunky for textural contrast against the smooth spears of asparagus. Add the half & half, pulse to blend.
Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
¼ cup fresh lemon juice, preferably from Meyer lemons, strained
½ cup canola oil
1 teaspoon finely minced shallot
2 teaspoons finely minced chives
Whisk together the vinegar and lemon juice in a bowl. Slowly whisk in he canola oil. Stir in the shallots and chives. Or the easy way: place all ingredients in a glass jar and shake to combine. Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 2 weeks (the chives will darken after 1 day).
To assemble the salad:
Form a mound of the Asparagus Sauce in the middle of your platter, top with crab meat. Surround with watercress and garnish with sliced purple and/or red radishes and finely chopped chives. Drizzle with vinaigrette.
Enjoy 🙂
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
This looks fantastic Priscilla, and I’m excited to hear about your trip!
Megan @ pipandebby
Wow, this looks amazing! Crab and asparagus are two of my faves..
Cheryl and Adam @ pictureperfectmeals.com
What an exciting trip you have planned… We wish you the best and hope you have a safe and fantastic journey! Your salad looks yummy, especially the Meyer lemon vinaigrette! Looking forward to hearing about your trip when you return>
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
I saw some gorgeous white asparagus the other day, now I am regretting not buying it!
RavieNomNoms
That looks so great! I love crab and asparagus! I have never cooked the white asparagus…my mom keeps telling me not to be afraid of the albino veggie haha. This looks like such a refreshing salad
Angie's Recipes
Priscilla, your white asparagus salad looks terrific! Beautiful plating too.
Victoria
Have a wonderful and safe trip!! Congrats on being included in the Five Star Makeover, and I’m glad you were finally able to find white asparagus! Looks like a delicious salad, perfect for spring 🙂
sippitysup
White asparagus as such a distinctive flavor. Pairing it with crab and that bright sauce is really beautiful too.
Pachecopatty
Beautiful crab and white asparagus salad to celebrate Spring, I love the fresh edible flowers strewn on your plate;-) Have a wonderful trip, I can’t wait to hear all about it;-)
Sandra's Easy Cooking
This looks amazing and very delicious! I never tried white asparagus..I not big fan of the green one so I thought it taste the same:) I have to try it, it looks wonderful with your combo!
Congrats on the trip, I hope that you will have a lot of fun, and report back soon!:)
Faith
What a fantastic use for white asparagus! Your salad is just gorgeous and such a delicious combo of flavors…I love the addition of crab too! Hope you have a wonderful time in Amsterdam, Priscilla!
Lindsey@Lindselicious
This dish and your trip both sound fantastic. I’m trying to remember if I have ever tried white asparagus before… I dont think I have. This looks so crisp and refreshing. Have a wonderful trip!
fooddreamer
A beautiful salad, and simple and fresh, as you say. Have a wonderful time in Holland!
rebecca
wow first class salad and what a fun trip you have lined up love it blog from there it you can 🙂
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz
What a wonderful entry and how lucky you are to be on your way to a fabulous holiday. I love your light salad and the elegant presentation. Just stunning.
5 Star Foodie
A lovely salad, the vinaigrette and the green asparagus sauce offer a terrific flavor profile to pair with the white asparagus and the crab. Welcome to the group! Have a terrific trip!
Jamie @ Wokintime
Sounds like you have an amazing trip planned! I’m looking forward to seeing what recipes you come back with! I’ve never used white asparagus before. Thanks for the inspiration.
Tanantha @ I Just Love My Apron
Oh have fun in Amsterdam! I’ve never been there but would love to go some day. I like the sauce you put together and i agree that white asparagus has delicate flavor.
PS: you finally found white asparagus! 🙂
kita
I hope your vacation is awesome. I would love to travel with 20 fiends to a new place. The fun I am sure you are already having!
Trix
Your plating is stunning, really beautiful! Have an amazing trip, can’t wait to read about it!
Jennifer- Adventuresome Kitchen
What a lovely dish! I love the asparagus and crab together! Have a great time in the Netherlands, and post some pics on our foodie page!!
Mary
This is really lovely and your photos of the salad are terrific. This is my first visit to your site, so I took some time to browse through your earlier entries. I’m so glad I did that. I really like the food and recipes you feature here and I’ll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Lazaro
Bright beautifully presented salad. Welcome to our cooking group.
Magic of Spice
This is just perfect…what a beautiful balance of flavors and textures! I love it! I am so bummed that I missed out on this beauty. I got confused about the day and I worked very late Friday, so I will have to have you remake for me (I’ll buy) There is not a chance that I would not adore this, just fantastic!
I hope you have an amazing trip and send back lots of photos, email me if you need anything on this side 🙂
Hugs and be safe!
Marisa
This really came out beautiful! I’m so glad you were able to get your hands on some white asparagus. I love it with the crab. Have a fun trip!
deana@lostpastremembered
The trip sounds awesome. You can enjoy white asparagus for days and the bike trip will make it painless.. who needs to count calories. btw I found a recipe for dutch sauce, with cream and vinegar instead of the lemon and butter in the regular version.. it was delicious. Your recipe is lovely… nice use of green asparagus to compliment the white…. that meyer lemon vinaigrette is a keeper.! Thanks for the great recipe!
Lori Lynn
Hi Priscilla – your salad is enchanting! Bet that sparkling wine was a perfect match too.
Bon Voyage!
LL
Angela@spinachtiger
Lovely, slimple and understated. Hard to believe it was peasant food at one time as they have to go out of their way to bury it in the dirt so it stays white. I love to study food customs and culture. Still trying to figure out why they do this anywhere.
Bren
jealous that you’ll be riding in Amsterdam! How awesome. So yeah, good for you keeping it light and simple amidst all that packing!
A little bit of everything
I hope you are having a wonderful trip. how exciting to travel with 20 friends.
the asparagus dish sounds great, thanks for sharing Priscilla
Daily Spud
That looks glorious! I reckon that white asparagus and sweet crab meat is one of those meant-to-be combinations. Hope your travels in Amsterdam went well – I’m only just getting to read all of the white asparagus posts now having been travelling myself – so much to catch up on…
Correen
Simple and tasty…that is how I love my recipes. Nicely presented and mmm! to the recipe shares. Pleased to share your recipe for the Meyer lemon vinaigrette on my newest page about how to eat crab cakes 😉