Recipe: Steamed Asparagus with Cardamom Butter

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH CARDAMOM BUTTER

"Rich Vellante, the talented executive chef of Legal Sea Foods restaurants, developed this wonderful recipe during the "Spices of Life" project when we were working with Chef Suresh Vaidyanathan from the Oberoi Hotel group in India."

2 tablespoons whole cardamom pods (about 50), smashed with the flat side of a knife
1/4 cup virgin olive oil
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 pounds fresh asparagus, tough woody stems snapped off
1/2 teaspoon salt

Toast the cardamom pods in a heavy skillet for about 5 minutes over low heat, shaking the pan from time to time until the cardamom is very fragrant. Add the olive oil and butter and slowly heat to infuse the oil and butter with the cardamom flavor for about 10 to 15 minutes while the asparagus is cooking.

Rinse the asparagus stalks and arrange in a heatproof plate, such as a pie or quiche pan, or in a steamer basket. (If using bamboo, line the basket with a piece of parchment or wax paper.)

Fill a large pot or a wok with several inches of water and heat until boiling. If using a plate, set it on a tuna fish can with both the top and bottom removed. Or, set the steamer basket in the wok. Steam the asparagus 5 to 6 minutes, or until just tender. Remove and arrange on a serving plate.

Pour the cardamom butter and sprinkle the salt over the asparagus and serve.

Servings 6
Excerpted from Spices of Life by Nina Simonds
Copyright 2005 by Nina Simonds. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.