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Asparagus with Tomato-Basil Vinaigrette

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 5, 2011

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 to 8

Asparagus with Tomato-Basil Vinaigrette

Ingredients

2 pounds thin asparagus spears (2 bunches), tough ends trimmed (see illustration below)1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium tomato, cored, seeded, and minced (about ½ cup)1 medium shallot, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice from 1 lemon1 tablespoon minced fresh basil leaves 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt and ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to uppermost position and heat broiler.
  2. Toss asparagus with oil and salt and pepper, then lay spears in single layer on heavy rimmed baking sheet. Broil about 4 inches from heating element, shaking pan halfway through to turn spears, until asparagus is tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Cool asparagus 5 minutes and arrange on serving dish.
  4. Whisk tomato, shallot, lemon juice, basil, and olive oil in small bowl; season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle over asparagus and serve immediately.
Asparagus with Tomato-Basil Vinaigrette

Asparagus with Tomato-Basil Vinaigrette

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

2 pounds thin asparagus spears (2 bunches), tough ends trimmed (see illustration below)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium tomato, cored, seeded, and minced (about ½ cup)
1 medium shallot, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice from 1 lemon
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

2 pounds thin asparagus spears (2 bunches), tough ends trimmed (see illustration below)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium tomato, cored, seeded, and minced (about ½ cup)
1 medium shallot, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice from 1 lemon
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

2 pounds thin asparagus spears (2 bunches), tough ends trimmed (see illustration below)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium tomato, cored, seeded, and minced (about ½ cup)
1 medium shallot, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice from 1 lemon
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

We developed a perfect asparagus recipe, including a simple sauce, that can be completed in just 10 minutes. We broiled the asparagus to concentrate the flavor and lightly caramelize its peel. While the asparagus cooked, we whisked together a simple, flavorful vinaigrette to drizzle over the hot asparagus before serving.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to uppermost position and heat broiler.
  2. Toss asparagus with oil and salt and pepper, then lay spears in single layer on heavy rimmed baking sheet. Broil about 4 inches from heating element, shaking pan halfway through to turn spears, until asparagus is tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Cool asparagus 5 minutes and arrange on serving dish.
  4. Whisk tomato, shallot, lemon juice, basil, and olive oil in small bowl; season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle over asparagus and serve immediately.

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