Description
This elegant and simple recipe features tender sautéed asparagus spears complemented by toasted almonds and rich Manchego cheese. The asparagus is briefly boiled to retain its crispness, then topped with nutty brown butter infused with lemon juice for a bright finish. A sprinkle of shaved Manchego adds a creamy, savory contrast, making it a perfect side dish or light appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 36 asparagus spears
Dairy and Nuts
- 140g unsalted butter
- 100g whole blanched almonds
- 50g best-quality Manchego cheese (or vegetarian hard cheese)
Other
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt (for boiling water)
Instructions
- Blanch the asparagus: Bring a large pan of salted water to a rolling boil, then plunge in the asparagus spears. Cook them for 2 to 3 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain the asparagus well, then keep them warm while you prepare the sauce.
- Prepare brown butter with almonds: Place the butter and whole blanched almonds into a cold pan. Gradually heat over medium heat, carefully watching the butter so it doesn’t burn. Once the butter starts to turn golden brown and foam, immediately remove the pan from heat to prevent overcooking.
- Add lemon juice to brown butter: Pour in the lemon juice into the browned butter and almonds off the heat. This stops the cooking process and adds a fresh, tangy flavor that balances the richness of the butter.
- Assemble and serve: Arrange the warm asparagus onto six individual serving plates. Spoon the fragrant brown butter and toasted almonds evenly over the asparagus. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the Manchego cheese thinly and scatter over each plate. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Choose fresh asparagus with firm stalks for the best texture.
- Watch the butter carefully during browning to avoid burning, which would give a bitter taste.
- If vegetarian hard cheese is preferred, ensure it complements the nuts and asparagus flavor.
- This dish can be served warm or at room temperature.
- For a nut-free variation, omit almonds and use toasted breadcrumbs instead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Spanish
Keywords: asparagus, brown butter, toasted almonds, Manchego, sautéed asparagus, easy side dish, Spanish recipe
