Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Asparagus in a Blanket with Cheese Sauce
I've been using a lot of chicken tenders lately because I had gotten a 5lb bag from Costco. Everything there is in bulk. So I'm trying to think of different ways to use those tenders aside from the obvious, which I will do, too. I figured why not use them as a wrap for some thing. I butterflied and pounded the tenders close to the thickness of bacon and wrapped them around some thin asparagus. As much as I love bacon, trust me...I could go for a bacon sandwich any day, we sometimes have to go for an alternative.
Very tasty. The top tips have a little crisp crunch to them. The body of the asparagus tender with a slight crunch at the center. The chicken baked just right and topped with some of the 4 cheese sauce. I ate 3 little bundles and it was the right amount to fill me up. Not the "guilty" full, but the "satisfied and just right" full. I still had room for dessert (i.e. leche flan). If using thicker asparagus, it'd be best to blanch them first.
This will make 6 bundles.
Asparagus in a Blanket with Cheese Sauce
6 Large chicken tenders
1 bundle thin asparagus (roughly 30)
Paprika
Salt
Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice of half a lemon (optional)
Preheat oven to 350˚F
Wash and cut the bottom ends of the asparagus off. In a bowl, toss them in some olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Carefully butterfly the chicken tenders. (Cutting it from the side middle like a book. Be sure not to cut all the way through you still want it to be one piece.)
Then place the tenders in between two piece of plastic wrap and pound it a few times into a thin piece. I use the bottom of a pan since I don't a have a mallet.
Remove from plastic wrap and season both side with salt, pepper and paprika.
Take 4-5 asparagus sticks and wrap it in a slight angle in the pounded chicken. Like in a twist.
Place on a lightly greased baking sheet, ends facing down to keep it from unraveling while it cooks. Drizzle a little olive oil over the chicken.
Bake for 20 min.
Cheese Sauce:
1 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp All-purpose Flour
1-1 1/2 c milk or 1 12oz can of evaporated milk
Shredded cheese (I used Sargento 4 cheese Mexican mix with Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar,
Queso Quesadilla and Asadero cheeses)
Salt & Pepper
Melt the butter in a sauce pan. Add in the flour and stir to combine making a roux. It'll clump together. Then add in the milk. Stir to combine and melt the flour mix. Once it looks a little thicker add in the shredded cheese.
Stir occasionally until the cheese is melted and has a creamy consistency. Season with a little salt and pepper.
Putting it all together:
When the chicken and asparagus are done place on a plate and pour some of the cheese sauce on top. The cheese sauce is also good for fondue.
Enjoy!
Wow - these look really pretty and tasty. Perfect for dinner guests.
ReplyDeleteThese kids of meals are my husbands favorite! Beautiful presentation!
ReplyDeleteI know where I am eating when I come to your neck of the woods.....damn these look so friggin' good!
ReplyDeletePam: Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDana: He'll love this then. =)
doggy: You're more than welcome over. =) I love having guests.
What a great idea! I love it. These would be great for company. Yum!
ReplyDeleteYou should mail this to South Beach! It's almost a perfect low carb dish. Great photo.
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious! Guess what I had for dinner last night...basically chicken and asparagus!! What is going on?? :P
ReplyDeleteThese look beautiful! Great new idea for chicken - I love all sorts of stuffed/rolled chicken dishes.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. I would have never thought to butterfly chicken tenders!
ReplyDeleteWow, looks delicious...I am like you, got the same bag at Costco...will try your recipe.
ReplyDeleteOooh-how innovative!!This looks so good-who would have ever thought of making Asparagus this way!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an elegant simple dish - gotta love that combination!
ReplyDeleteYummy Jenn! I recently discovered that I love asparagus... hahahaha :) and we have lots of chicken tenders in the fridge (also from costco) hehehe
ReplyDeleteKelly: They sure would!
ReplyDeleteDuo Dishes: That's not a bad suggestion.
girlichef: whoa!!! Ya, what is going on?!?
Jen: You'll like this then.
Bob: now you know.
Juliana: Solution for Costco Chicken!!
Sweta: Gives a spin to just eating it alone.
Oyster Culture: Thanks
Zee: We are costco lovers!!!
Love Asparagus, never put any sauce on it, but you just give me an idea. Delicious Jenn!
ReplyDeleteYet another reason why Costco is AWESOME. And yet another reason why I need a membership! (besides there super delish cookies...)
ReplyDeleteGreat combo of flavors! Looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful plate! I love that the ingredients list for the entire dish is minimal and yet the end result is so sophisticated and delicious.
ReplyDeleteElra: Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDiana: I'd even go to costco just to eat the samples.
Julie Jams: Thanks!
Tangled Noodle: I love you description of this!
I love the concept of this asparagus in a blanket! Excellent idea and beautiful presentation! Love the cheese sauce too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! They look so good, especially with the cheese sauce over them!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! The Missus does something very similar!
ReplyDeleteWe call chicken tnders "sasami" in Japanese.
They are very cersatile!
Cheers,
Robert-Gilles
you had me in mind when you made this! CHEESe sauce! whoooooooo!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea? These are beautiful!!
ReplyDelete5 Star Foodie, Reeni: Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRobert-Gilles: It's amazing how chicken can be used in so many things.
burpandslurp: Gotta lova that cheese sauce!!
SimplyHeavenFood: Thanks.
This looks so good and healthy, even with the cheese sauce! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThey look absolutely gorgeous! I love it, especially when the tips of the asparagus gets crunchy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! These look great! I always need new ideas for chicken too!
ReplyDeleteVictoria K: Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJennDZ: I saved the crinchy tips for last. LOL.
Patty: It's always fun to come up with something new for chicken.
Smart! I think Tavo would like something like that--he's a big fan of all things cheese and asparagus.
ReplyDeleteTavoLini: This is perfect then. =)
ReplyDeleteIt looks and sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteI will try this at home, our family are asparagu-holic
ReplyDeleteJulia: Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMahalia: Perfect for your family!
Hey guys!
ReplyDeleteWell in a ocacion in my life comes to taste in a Blanket Asparagus with Cheese Sauce. I found a simple recipe and very rich indeed. I like the information.
For my part every person should read it.
ReplyDeleteMade it tonight. Everyone loved it!!!
ReplyDelete