Recipe: Asparagus with Rice

Asparagus with Rice
Contributed by: Vincent Mcguire
(4 servings)

2 1/4 lb Asparagus
1 Onion
1/4 c Butter
1 1/4 c Arborio rice
1/2 c Dry white wine
1 Bouillon cube
1/2 tsp Meat extract
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese
1 tb Butter

Soak and rinse the asparagus. Cut off the tips and put aside. Boil the stalks in lightly salted water. When tender, press the stalks through a sieve and return the pulp to the cooking water. Keep hot. Finely chop the onion. Melt the butter in a saucepan and gently fry the onion and the asparagus tips for a few minutes. Add the rice, mixing and turning with a wooden spoon until the grains are coated in the fat. Pour the wine over the rice, raise the heat and boil briskly until the wine has evaporated. Dilute the bouillon cube and the meat extract in the hot asparagus water. Add a little of the liquid to the rice, lower the heat, stir and add more liquid as it reduces, until the rice is al dente. Adjust the seasoning if necessary, glaze the rice with 1 tbsp butter and add the grated cheese. Stir well and serve immediately.