Roasted Asparagus with Beer Béarnaise Sauce
I’m living in a maze of boxes that seem to push up from the ground like stalagmites in a mid century modern cave. The move is just a week away, starting with a meandering drive up Highway 1 with my fat lazy bulldog. And still, it doesn’t seem real. The 78 degree days, don’t feel like the last open-the-back-door-bare-feet-outside kind of weekend for a while.
I keep forgetting that those restaurant I’ve been meaning to go to won’t be eaten at and the friends I haven’t seen in a while probably won’t be seen again.
It doesn’t quite feel like I’ll be calling Seattle home in just a handful of days. That the amazing restaurants and breweries I’ve only heard about will be my new haunts. That those incredible oyster bars will be down the street and that I’ll be able to grab a quick drink with the friends I’ve accumulated up in the Pacific Northwest.
It still feels like I’m caught in a bit of an undertow and I’m not sure what the view will be like once I come up for air. But I do know that although I’m leaving the best produce state in the nation (California grows half of all the produce grown in the USA), I am going to a state that has an incredible amount to offer when it comes to food. Asparagus will probably become an obsession once I’m in the state that grows it best.
Asparagus, oysters, beer. I’m pretty sure I can handle the rain with a good beer and some great food.
Roasted Asparagus with Beer Béarnaise Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 lbs asparagus washed and dried
- 2 tbs olive oil
- ½ tsp kosher or sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup pale ale
- 2 tbs white wine vinegar
- 1 tbs chopped shallots
- 2 tbs tarragon
- 1 tbs chervil
- 3 egg yolks
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425.
- Cut off the bottom 1 to 2 inches of asparagus (the tough woody ends).
- Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss to coat.
- Roast for 8-10 minutes (longer for asparagus that’s very thick).
- While the asparagus is cooking, start making the sauce.
- In a pan over medium high heat, add the beer, vinegar, shallots, tarragon and chervil. Cook until reduced by about half.
- Put the beer mixture in a blender with the egg yolks, blend on high for three minutes.
- Heat the butter until very hot and steamy. Remove the cap from the blenders top. While the blender is running, slowly add the butter in a slow steady stream. Continue to blend on high for 2 more minutes. Sauce should resemble slightly thin mayonnaise. Plate the asparagus, pour desired amount of sauce over just before servings, or serve sauce alone side.
I start my drive up the West Coast in just one week. Join me, it’s going to be a big move and a big adventure. I’d love to have you along for the ride.
Comments
P~ The Saucy Southerner February 17, 2014 um 3:30 am
Wow! That is a fabulous idea! It looks and sounds just amazing!
Good luck with your move. Seattle is a fabulous town. P~
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar February 17, 2014 um 3:49 am
I can’t freaking wait to try that sauce – so good!
Cyndi February 17, 2014 um 8:48 am
Good luck with the move…..Seattle is GREAT. I was at home here the first week when I moved to Seattle from SoCal in 1981. And still love it here. I hope you won’t miss the sun, many people from SoCal move up here and return within the year. Be prepared for many grey days. But you’ll have many adventures ahead of you and the best restaurants around to visit. Have fun while you are here. Definately eat at Rock Creek on Fremont, a friend of mine’s son owns it and is head chef…..amazing food.
Michelle Lahey February 17, 2014 um 10:21 am
Good luck with the move! P.S. I am Pinning this recipe immediately. I must make this!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen February 17, 2014 um 9:05 pm
Hope your move goes well, asparagus looks gorgeous with bearnaise sauce!
Penny February 18, 2014 um 5:11 am
Good luck with the move; never an easy endeavor. Lots of food lovers in Seattle.
Megan {Country Cleaver} February 18, 2014 um 8:40 am
I think I just did the world’s biggest happy dance thaty ou will be back here soon!!!!! Ben advises you just move to Spokane, but whatever – as long as I’m near YOU I’m THRILLED!!! Also – can we share a big plate of this and a beer? Deal? Deal!!
Andrew February 18, 2014 um 8:44 am
How on earth did you not call this Beernaise sauce??
Can’t wait to come visit… I’ll bring you a sunlamp! xo!
Jackie February 18, 2014 um 3:00 pm
I totally thought about it! It was a bit too cheesy.
And you need to come visit.
katie February 19, 2014 um 8:56 am
This sounds divine and uber fancy!
Paula – bell’alimento February 22, 2014 um 7:52 am
This sauce looks amazing! Pinning!
addie | culicurious February 25, 2014 um 3:17 pm
This looks amazing! And I hope the move went well. 🙂 Best to you and your family!