Author: Ashley

Ashley's tiny kitchen is located in Ossining, New York- a short train ride from NYC. Her professional background is in graphic design + fine art, and she brings that aesthetic to her culinary creations.
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Asparagus with Lemon and Tarragon Hollandaise

Asparagus with Lemon and Tarragon Hollandaise
Gordon Ramsay

450g asparagus, trimmed
For the hollandaise sauce:
3 large egg yolks
Squeeze of lemon juice, plus extra to taste
200ml olive oil
2 tbsp chopped tarragon
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  1. First make the hollandaise sauce. Using a large balloon whisk, beat the egg yolks with a squeeze of lemon juice and seasoning in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Beat vigorously for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens. (To make sure the sauce doesn’t overheat, take it on and off the heat while you whisk, scraping around the sides of the bowl with a plastic spatula.) The aim is to achieve a golden, airy sauce that forms ribbons on the surface when the whisk is lifted.
  2. Warm the olive oil in a small pan, then set aside. Off the heat, gradually add a little of the warmed olive oil at a time to the egg mix, then return the bowl over a gentle heat to cook a little more. Remove from the heat again and whisk in another dash of warm oil.Repeat until all the oil is incorporated and the sauce has a thick, mayonnaise-like consistency.
  3. Whisk in lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, plus 2–3 tablespoons of warm water to give the mixture a pouring consistency, then add the chopped tarragon.
  4. Blanch the asparagus by plunging it into boiling salted water for 2–3 minutes until its rawness has been removed but it is still crunchy. Drain well and serve with the hollandaise.
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Peanut Butter M&M’S® Truffles

Peanut Butter M&M’S® Truffles
Sally’s Baking Addiction

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup (185g) creamy peanut butter (not natural style)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup (100g) M&M’S® Baking Bits
16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  1. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
  2. With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed in a large bowl until creamy – about 2 minutes. Add the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Beat on high until combined and creamy. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat on low for 2 minutes until everything is combined. The mixture is supposed to be a little soft, yet crumbly. See photo above for a visual. Using a rubber spatula (or your hands– I find hands work best!), work the M&M’S® into the peanut butter dough.
  3. Begin rolling peanut butter dough into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet. You should have about 32-35 balls total.
  4. Chill peanut butter balls in the refrigerator for 1 hour or until firm. During the last few minutes of the chilling time, begin melting the chocolate. You can melt the chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave. If using the microwave: place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. I like to use a liquid measuring cup. Its depth makes it easier for dipping the truffles. Melt in 30 second increments in the microwave, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Let the warm chocolate sit for 5 minutes to slightly cool before dipping. Alternatively, you can temper the chocolate. If tempering, do not place or store truffles in the refrigerator.
  5. Remove peanut butter balls from the refrigerator and dip them in the chocolate using a dipping tool. When dipping, you can fully submerge the truffle OR leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like buckeyes. When lifting the truffle out of the chocolate, remember to tap the dipping tool gently on the side of the bowl to allow excess chocolate to drip off.
  6. Place balls back onto the baking sheet after you dip each one. Allow chocolate to completely set in the refrigerator before serving.
  7. Make ahead tip: Layer truffles between sheets of parchment or wax paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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Classic Fried Shrimp Po’boys

Classic Fried Shrimp Po’boys
Emeril Lagasse

Vegetable oil, for frying
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons Essence, recipe follows
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
2 small French bread loaves, each about 10-inches long
4 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup mayonnaise, or more to taste
Red pepper sauce
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 large ripe beefsteak tomato, thinly sliced
Sliced dill pickles, optional
Hot sauce, for serving, optional
Potato chips, for serving, optional (recommended: Zapp’s)

Emeril’s ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

Heat the oil in a large sauce pan or preheat a deep fryer to 360 degrees F. Season the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of the Essence, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the cayenne. In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour and cornmeal and season with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the Essence, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne. Dredge the shrimp in the seasoned flour mixture, coating the shrimp completely. Fry the shrimp in the hot oil, in batches if necessary, until golden brown, stirring constantly, about 4 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper-lined plate. Season with salt and hot sauce. Split the French bread loaves in half and brush both cut sides of the bread with some of the melted butter. Using a spatula, spread the mayonnaise on both sides of the bread, then sprinkle with hot sauce. Divide the shrimp evenly between the 2 sandwiches and garnish with the lettuce, tomato slices, sliced pickles and hot sauce, if desired. Serve with potato chips.