Grilled asparagus with sorrel and shaved black truffles

Name: Grilled asparagus with sorrel and shaved black truffles
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 6 - 8
Ingredients: 3 bunches of green asparagus, trimmed (choose spears that are about finger thickness); flaked salt; 20ml virgin olive oil; 1tbsp quality mayonnaise; 1 packet of red-veined sorrel leaves or 1 bunch of regular sorrel picked, leaves torn; 80g parmigiano reggiano; 1 lemon; 1 truffle, about 20g

Karen Martini

December 4, 2012

A Christmas feast to remember.Marina Oliphant

easyTime:< 30 minsServes:6 - 8

The touch of truffle here is a little indulgent, and Australia is now producing world-class truffles. At Christmas though, they'll be coming from Europe.

Ingredients

3 bunches of green asparagus, trimmed (choose spears that are about finger thickness)
flaked salt
20ml virgin olive oil
1tbsp quality mayonnaise
1 packet of red-veined sorrel leaves or 1 bunch of regular sorrel picked, leaves torn
80g parmigiano reggiano
1 lemon
1 truffle, about 20g

Method

1. Preheat a griddle pan or a barbecue grill.
2. Season and oil the asparagus. Grill, rotating the spears regularly to cook evenly. They should take 2 to 3 minutes to cook.
3. Lift the cooked asparagus spears off the grill and toss them in the mayonnaise while still warm. The mayonnaise will get down to a sauce consistency; add more if necessary to coat fully. Throw in a handful of sorrel and toss again. Adjust seasoning.
4. Arrange the asparagus on a serving plate, then top with the remaining sorrel. Using a microplane, grate the parmesan over and add a squeeze of lemon. Top with fine shavings of truffle and serve immediately.
Tip: Buy your truffle as close to using as possible so it has its fragrance. To store, wrap it in a kitchen towel in an airtight container in the crisper. Keep very dry. Change the paper daily. Slice with a very sharp knife, or a mandolin.