Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Two side dishes worth trying: Jamie's potato salad and Martha's roasted asparagus

Jamie’s potato salad

I beg of you – make one of these recipes. Or go wild and make both. You won’t be sorry, I promise.

Fresh asparagus are something quite new to me – I don’t ever recall seeing them in supermarkets when I was younger. But ever since I spotted them for the first time there was no turning back – I became a huge fan. In my humble opinion, fresh asparagus will taste great no matter how you make them – I especially love them in risottos – but pair them with olive oil, black pepper and parmesan and you’ve got yourself an addictive combination.

As for the potato salad… I’ll tell you that it’s another recipe from the show “Jamie at home” and I know you’ll be convinced of how good it is. I would never have thought that a simple potato salad could be so delicious – and it tasted even better the next day.

Jamie used lemons for the salad, but I used limes instead; since I’m making this again about 184 times, I’ll try it with lemons too.

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This is my entry for the Weekend Herb Blogging, hosted by Lia from Swirling Notions.

Martha’s roasted asparagus with parmesan

Martha’s roasted asparagus with parmesan
from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast

2 bunches (680g/1 ½ pounds) asparagus
1 tablespoon olive oil
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 230ºC/450ºF. Trim the tough ends from the asparagus.
On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the asparagus with the olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer. Sprinkle with the cheese.
Roast until the asparagus is tender and the cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes.
Serve immediately.

Serves 4

Jamie’s potato salad

Jamie’s potato salad
from Jamie at Home

500g new potatoes, peeled
1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
grated zest and juice of 1 large lime
3 tablespoons capers, drained
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 handful chopped parsley*

Cook the potatoes in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water until they’re tender but not too soft; drain.
Place the olive oil, lime zest and juice in a large bowl and mix well. Add the potatoes while they’re still hot, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Add the capers.
Add the parsley after the potatoes are cool. Mix well and serve.

* Jamie used dill

39 comments:

  1. Yum! Both sound fresh and delicious!

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  2. Those potatoes are calling to me! Yum!

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  3. I love Janie's potato salad paired with the asparagus I am sure they made excellent sides!

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  4. i'll try the asparagus with parmesan tomorrow if i find some fresh one in the market..:-) they look delicious

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  5. You are totally a devotee of Jamie at Home, I love it!!! Haha :)
    I can't believe I missed the potato salad. The capers are a very inspired addition!

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  6. Patricia, both are excellent sides dishes. I make my potato salad similar to Jamie's, with some mustard.

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  7. Side dishes? These sound like a meal to me! :) I really don't like mayonnaise so I've always shied away from traditional US potato salads...this one looks like a perfect alternative!

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  8. Patrica, the potato salad looks perfect for a light lunch today!

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  9. I don't remember growing up with asparagus either, but I think it's because my parents didn't grow it in the garden, and the only fresh veggies we ate were from the garden. Otherwise, they came in a can. These both look amazing and I will be bookmarking both!

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  10. I love you for posting side dish recipes--I can never seem to find any good ones out there.
    I have a crush on Jaime because of his amazing food.

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  11. Asparagus roasted, or cooked on the grill, is my absolutely favorite vegetable. I like to let them cool slightly and add them to salads, or use as a kind of garnish for risotto. The potato recipe looks great, too.

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  12. Patricia, i can assure you the potato salad i will make. Cant resist such a refreshing recipe. Fresh asparagus is kinda impossible to find here, so I'll just have to see yours n be happy.

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  13. I really like roasted asparagus with parmesan and some reduced balsamic vinegar, mmm!

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  14. They both look so good! Wish I had the ingredients at hand to make them. The best part is, it looks like they're not complicated to make at all. Thanks for posting them!

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  15. Asparagus is one of my absolute favorite foods, but I try to eat it only when it's in season near here---spring!

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  16. A Martha recipe that works? Wow! I love asparagus but we usually eat the white ones here, fresh, season is almost there (May/June). Lately I think I appreciate the nutty taste of the green ones more, especially when roasted or stir fried.

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  17. Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables and roasting them with parmesan s one of my favorite ways to enjoy it. Those potatoes sound good as well.

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  18. Mmmm...both look delicious. :) Roasted asparagus is absolutely one of my favorite, favorite dishes - can't wait they come into season here. That potato salad looks simple, fresh and tasty - love that Jamie Oliver (and "Jamie at Home!")

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  19. i love asparagus! it only makes me sad that i never cook it b/c my husband doesn't like it :(

    when you speak so highly of this potato salad, i HAVE to try it! i love lemon/lime! i don't care much for capers but i think it will probably still be great w/o them....

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  20. okay, okay...I will make both!! ;-)

    I love asparagus too. It is quite expensive in Singapore, but during the peak of the season in Sydney, i can get a bunch for just 99cents. That's when I eat it almost everyday, so much so that my partner has protested ha ha.

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  21. Mmm, asparagus and potato salad reminds me of spring! I can't wait. We always have these dishes at Easter.
    I noticed the stores already have Easter candy out. I can't believe it.

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  22. Gretchen, thank you!

    Romina, I'm glad you like them!

    Meeta, they were good, sweetie, tks!

    Dhanggit, let me know if you try them.

    Mark, I am! Isn't the show wonderful? I can't wait to watch a new episode next Saturday. :)

    Peter, I like the idea of using mustard.

    Sarah, thank you! I must confess I have made these and eaten them with crusty bread and wine - I was good to go!
    I don't like potato salads with mayo, either - and they're huge here in Sao Paulo. I think you'll like this one!

    Hi, sweetie! Thank you!

    Deb, fresh veggies from the garden? That is so nice, my friend!

    Sarah, I love his food, too, and I don't know why it took me so long to start cooking his recipes!

    Lydia, I'm glad you like these, my dear.

    Kate, let me know if you like the salad, sweetie.

    Bri, I like the idea of using balsamic vinegar, I love that stuff! :)

    Joy, you are so right, they are easy!

    Sally, I hope you give this recipe a try.

    Hi, sweetie! I love Martha... :)

    Kevin, I really like the touch given here by the cheese.

    Amy, his recipes are so good!

    Jaime, my husband didn't like it either until I started making this recipe - now, I have to watch my back otherwise there will be none left for me! :)

    Nora, they are not cheap here either, my friend. But sometimes I'm willing to splurge. :)

    Emiline, really? That Easter meal sounds delicious!

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  23. Must be a lot of work peeling those small potatoes! Looks so delicious.

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  24. Ooooh, those potatoes sound delicious! Do you think anchovy stuffed olives would work as a sub for the capers? I'm anti capers. lol (I'm a freak, I know.)

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  25. I LOVE asparagus cooked any way, but it's especially good roasted like yours.

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  26. i've got bag full of red potatoes so i'll definitely be trying this potato recipe out! looks yummy!

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  27. perfect potato dish for a snow day!

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  28. Oooh, I haven't tried this one. I will have to give it a go!

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  29. You totally don't have to beg me to try one of these recipes! That potato salad is definitely calling my name!

    It looks great - thanks for the post & I'm glad that I found your blog! :)

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  30. I'll make both of them they are the perfect sides for any meal.

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  31. Patricia, fresh asparagus is new to me too! It is wonderful. And I love it roasted.

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  32. I love roasted fresh asparagus with parmesan cheese - as well as with feta cheese. Cannot wait until the fresh asparagus is available again in about 2 months!

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  33. Both of these look gorgeous! You have some wonderful photos, and I love that you lean towards nice, simple recipes that pack a lot of flavor. Thanks!

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  34. i love Jamie Oliver. i have his books! i've also tried his recipes and they're fantastic! i'll try the Potato Salad. they look so delish in the photo. :-)

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  35. Jamie is a joy to watch. I'd like to try the potatoes soon.

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  36. I make asparagus like this too, and it's fantastic. Not sure where I got the idea. It was not from Jamie though because I don't have a single one of his books, and I'm not sure why because I love him on TV.

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  37. Oh, both of these sound so good. Simple too, the best way.

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  38. that potato dish is exactly the kind of salad i adore. yum!

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  39. the potatoes look pretty darn healthy! and asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables. And it doesn't hurt that Jamie is so cute to look at!

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