Friday, May 26, 2006

RECIPE ~ Asparagus Nicoise


Get your asparagus while it’s plentiful! Women especially should take note of this nutritious green stalk. Of all vegetables, asparagus is the best supplier of folic acid, which prevents neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida. According to Ayurveda, asparagus is a wonder food to help during menstruation. It is also low in calories and high in potassium, and is the taste of springtime!

2 lb asparagus, trimmed
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
15 small black olives, pitted
2 plum tomatoes, diced small
2 shallots minced
1 tbsp capers, drained
1/2 tsp sea salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
3 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
Leaf lettuce


Cook asparagus in large skillet filled 1-inch deep with water on medium high heat until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water. Drain again.

In medium bowl, whisk together vinegar and mustard. Gradually whisk in oil. Stir in olives, tomatoes, shallots and capers. Add salt and pepper.

Line serving platter with lettuce. Arrange asparagus on top. Surround with egg slices. Spoon olive mixture evenly over top.

* FOR INDIVIDUAL DOSHAS
PITTAS reduce to 1 tsp dijon and 1 tomato; omit black pepper
KAPHAS reduce oil to 1/4 cup

5 comments:

ccp61@hotmail.com said...

Hi, my question is this. My understanding of Ayervedic cooking is that Eggs are NOT good. What is your opinion?

Claudia Davila (Fran) said...

Hi there!

Within Ayurveda there is a range. The most flexible and inclusive Ayurvedic diet can include meat, poultry, eggs, garlic, onions, deep-fried foods and preserves, but the strictest Ayurvedic diet would exclude all these for a pure, egg-less vegetarian diet. Personally I think it depends on the individual and what you'd like to do and accomplish. An egg-less Ayurvedic way of eating most likely attempts to follow a sattvic lifestyle, to reach a peaceful state of being, as eggs are rajasic and bring out a natural aggression in people. I have seen adamant recommendations to exclude eggs and all rajasic and tamasic foods from the diet, but I've also seen Ayurvedic guidelines that include them. It's up to you, or your Ayurvedic healthcare practitioner.

Hope this helps!

A Virgin Vegan said...

Greetings! I would like to ask how many servings this recipe yeilds? Are they small, medium or large portions as in appetizer versus main course salad? Thank you for your time and attention in this matter. Sincerely, Courtney

Yoyo's Ma said...

Hi Star! This is meant as an appetizer or side-dish, in which case it feeds about 6 people. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a delicious recipe!