ASPARAGUS FRIES WITH BLUE CHEESE DIP

⋅ fruits and veggies, quick and easy, sides, vegetarian ⋅ , , , , ⋅ 2 comments

•Panko breadcrumbs, have you used them before?  Oh, I’ve heard of them, but never experienced them.  So maybe, I’m not as cutting edge as I thought…no finger on the pulse of society.  It’s a Japanese breadcrumb made with crustless bread.  They add such a unique crunch, different then traditional or homemade breadcrumbs.  Once I made these fries, I coated everything I could with Panko; chicken breasts, apple slices, fish fillets, a shoe…kidding, but I bet it would have been delicious. 

for the asparagus
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 lb asparagus, woody ends trimmed
3/4 cup all purpose or whole wheat flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp lemon zest
pinch of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
cooking spray
 
blue cheese dip
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup light sour cream
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 tbls milk
2 green onions-finely chopped
1 tsp hot sauce-I used Franks
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
 
serves 2-4
prep and cooking time 30-45 min
400°
 

In a small bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the blue cheese dip.  Taste for seasoning, cover and put in fridge so the flavors can mingle.  Helpful hint: zest the lemon before you cut and squeeze out juice.  Need 1 tsp zest for asparagus.

Heat oven to 400°.  Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.

 

Wash and cut the woody ends off of the asparagus (can be saved for soup or stock)

 

 

 

Use 3 shallow dishes or plates for the breading station. 

Plate 1- flour with a little pinch of salt and pepper
Plate 2- beaten eggs with a little pinch of salt and pepper
Plate 3- panko, lemon zest, pinch of salt, pepper , and red pepper flakes to your liking 

 

Dip the asparagus in the order of the plates; flour, egg, panko (pressing down a little) 

        

Place the spears on the baking sheet, spray with a little more cooking spray.

  Bake in the oven 15-20 min until golden brown.  Serve with the blue cheese dip♥Enjoy

 

Print Friendly