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Asparagus and Country Bread with Anchovy Dressing

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on September 15, 2011

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 as a side dish

Asparagus and Country Bread with Anchovy Dressing

Ingredients

3 anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced2 medium cloves garlic, minced2 tablespoons lemon juice from 1 lemon¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil Salt and ground black pepper 1 ¼ pounds asparagus, tough ends snapped off2 slices day-old, chewy country-style bread (½-inch slices)1 small chunk Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce), shaved into strips with vegetable peeler

Instructions

  1. Either light a medium fire in grill or preheat broiler. Whisk anchovy, garlic, lemon juice, and oil, along with salt and pepper to taste, in medium bowl. Brush asparagus and bread with about 2 tablespoons dressing to coat lightly.
  2. Either grill asparagus, turning halfway through cooking time, until tender and streaked with light grill marks, 5 to 7 minutes, or line up spears in single layer on heavy jellyroll or rimmed baking sheet and broil, placing sheet about 4 inches from top heating element and shaking it once halfway through cooking to rotate spears, until tender and browned in some spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Along with asparagus, grill or broil bread, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes total on grill or 90 seconds total under broiler.
  3. When bread is cool enough to handle, cut into 1/4-inch cubes; toss with asparagus and remaining dressing. Transfer to serving platter, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, sprinkle with shaved Parmesan, and serve immediately.
Asparagus and Country Bread with Anchovy Dressing

Asparagus and Country Bread with Anchovy Dressing

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 as a side dish

Ingredients

3 anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice from 1 lemon
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper
1 ¼ pounds asparagus, tough ends snapped off
2 slices day-old, chewy country-style bread (½-inch slices)
1 small chunk Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce), shaved into strips with vegetable peeler

Ingredients

3 anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice from 1 lemon
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper
1 ¼ pounds asparagus, tough ends snapped off
2 slices day-old, chewy country-style bread (½-inch slices)
1 small chunk Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce), shaved into strips with vegetable peeler

Ingredients

3 anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice from 1 lemon
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper
1 ¼ pounds asparagus, tough ends snapped off
2 slices day-old, chewy country-style bread (½-inch slices)
1 small chunk Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce), shaved into strips with vegetable peeler

Why This Recipe Works

In search of an asparagus recipe that produced beautifully browned, caramelized asparagus, we found that grilling and broiling work best on thin to medium-thin asparagus—no more than 5/8 inch thick. When we tried spears any thicker, they burned on the surface before they had a chance to cook through. For broiling, keep the pan about 4 inches from the heating element to allow even cooking. For grilling, a medium fire serves best.

Instructions

  1. Either light a medium fire in grill or preheat broiler. Whisk anchovy, garlic, lemon juice, and oil, along with salt and pepper to taste, in medium bowl. Brush asparagus and bread with about 2 tablespoons dressing to coat lightly.
  2. Either grill asparagus, turning halfway through cooking time, until tender and streaked with light grill marks, 5 to 7 minutes, or line up spears in single layer on heavy jellyroll or rimmed baking sheet and broil, placing sheet about 4 inches from top heating element and shaking it once halfway through cooking to rotate spears, until tender and browned in some spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Along with asparagus, grill or broil bread, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes total on grill or 90 seconds total under broiler.
  3. When bread is cool enough to handle, cut into 1/4-inch cubes; toss with asparagus and remaining dressing. Transfer to serving platter, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, sprinkle with shaved Parmesan, and serve immediately.

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