Oval plate of grilled asparagus with soft boiled egg segments

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

Large handful of asparagus spears, trimmed (about 20 spears)

Olive oil, for cooking

1⁄2 lemon, for grilling

Anchovy dressing

1⁄4 cup/60 millilitres lemon juice

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon white vinegar

5 anchovy fillets

1 garlic clove

METHOD

To make the dressing, blend the ingredients to a paste. Adjust the thickness with extra olive oil if you like. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For the asparagus, lightly brush the spears with oil and cook on a hot BBQ grill until lightly charred. While grilling, add halved lemon to the grill pan.

Served slightly warm with the dressing drizzled over and halved lemon on the side.

Note: This dish is made more vibrant with the addition of garnishes such as soft-boiled eggs, olives, lemon rind and a crumble of ricotta.

Nostrana cookbook cover

Recipe from Nostrana: Flavours from my Italian Kitchen Garden by Bri DiMattina.

Published by Harper Collins New Zealand, 2023. Hardcover, $55.

This recipe features in our Kōanga Spring 2023 Edition.

Related Stories

Philippa Cameron and a Favourite Salad Recipe

Philippa is the cook on Otematata Station in the Waitaki Valley of the South Island, providing smokos and sometimes lunch to the staff of shepherds.

Read More

Jaz Mathisen’s Sourdough Bread Recipe

This is the perfect loaf to make on a slow weekend when all you crave is something hearty and nourishing.

Read More
Tomato mustard tart

Best Tomato & Mustard Tart Ever

My darling mum whips up this tart on a regular basis and we never complain.

Read More
Black doris plum pie with a scoop of icecream

Black Doris Plum, Coconut & White Chocolate Pie

This pie is the perfect mix of contrasting textures and flavours - sweet and tart, soft and crunchy.

Read More

Out Now

Twenty-Sixth Edition

Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.

Do you have a story to tell?

We'd love to hear it.