Asparagus!

Asparagus is a sure sign that "spring has sprung", as my Dad used to say.  The stuff I got at the market on Saturday is beautiful and delicious.  It was about the same price as the supermarket, but what I got was organic and very, very fresh.  I'm trying some different storage methods with it, including cutting off about 1/2-inch of the ends and putting it into a glass of water.  The ends are not woody at all and it's got a delicate, lovely asparagus taste. 

I have been nibbling on it raw, dipped into tamari (a lighter soy sauce that also comes in a gluten-free version); later I may dip it into some olive oil and toss it on the grill, turning after 1-2 minutes on each side, and then serve with salt and pepper.  I say "I may" because I had a fabulous Easter brunch at a friend's house, and I'm still full!  I used the asparagus in the dishes I brought, which included vegetable spring rolls and vegetable sushi with a peanut-soy dipping sauce.  The vegetable spring rolls were surprisingly easy - I'll share them with you at a later date - and a nice, light appetizer (if I say so myself!). 

My vegetable sushi skills do not warrant sharing - yet.  Better Homes and Gardens, however, has taken on the task:  http://www.bhg.com/recipes/fish/basics/how-to-roll-sushi/.  I reviewed several how-to sites and this was the best demo I found.  I learned from Morimoto's recipe in Food Network Magazine, http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/masaharu-morimoto/vegetable-sushi-recipe/index.html - but the Food Network website doesn't have the step-by-step pictures that made it (relatively) easy to learn.  Sushi chefs make this look so EASY!  I have always respected sushi chefs for their knowledge of their ingredients, but actually making vegetable rolls has really increased my respect for the technique and skill they possess.  If you decide to try it, by all means have fun with it!  That's what cooking should be about - having a great time in the kitchen and sharing the love with friends -- even if it's not perfect.

See you at the market!