Asparagus soldiers with a soft-boiled egg

Asparagus soldiers with a soft-boiled egg

A classic combination, seasoned with chilli and paprika

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 10 mins

Cook time

Cook 10 mins

Vegetarian

Vegetarian

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a pan, add the breadcrumbs, then fry until crisp and golden. Season with the spices and flaky sea salt, then leave to cool. Cook the asparagus in a large pan of boiling salted water for 3-5 mins until tender. At the same time, boil the eggs for 3-4 mins. Put each egg in an egg cup on a plate. Drain the asparagus and divide between plates. Scatter over the crumbs and serve.
Try

Preparing and cooking asparagus

Rinse spears. Hold one at each end, then bend - it will break where the tough woody stem meets the edible tip. If serving asparagus for dipping, there's no need to snap off the end as it makes a convenient handle. The best way to cook the spears is in about 5cm of boiling water in a wide, deep sauté pan. Green asparagus will take 3-5 minutes, depending on its thickness. Test by piercing a spear with the point of a knife - when cooked it will just slide in easily.

Healthy benefits

Asparagus is a good source of betacarotene, which has antioxidant properties, folic acid and vitamin C. It is low in calories, just 24 per 100g, and high in fibre. It also contains vitamin B9, which is good to eat if you are planning a baby as lack of this vitamin can increase the risk of spina bifida.

PER SERVING

186 kcalories, protein 12.0g, carbohydrate 12.0g, fat 10.0 g, saturated fat 2.0g, fibre 2.0g, sugar 3.0g, salt 0.72 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, May 2009.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • 13 May 2009

    Tobymence rated and commented on this recipe

    2 stars

    A lot of messing around for minimal pleasure. Would not repeat.

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  • 19 May 2010

    Katharine rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely loved this. I used sweet smoked paprika and thyme for the breadcrumbs, which was fab! Also served with a poached egg instead of soft boiled which had the advantage of giving the yolk more of a chance to combine with the lovely lovely breadcrumbs! Both of which complimented the asparagus perfectly without overpowering it. Lovely weeknight supper.

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 10 mins

Cook time

Cook 10 mins

Vegetarian

Vegetarian

Ingredients

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PER SERVING

186 kcalories, protein 12.0g, carbohydrate 12.0g, fat 10.0 g, saturated fat 2.0g, fibre 2.0g, sugar 3.0g, salt 0.72 g

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