A perfect match for the first sunset of spring — grilled asparagus and chilled chardonnay.

With the arrival of spring came a box of fresh Asparagus from the California Asparagus Commission along with warm weather.  I turned on the grill, prepped the spears and cooked them about 5 to 7 minutes until done. While the asparagus cooked, I thinned some mayonnaise with fresh lemon juice and seasoned that with cayenne pepper and chilled a bottle of Jacob’s Creek Reserve Chardonnay (2007).

I also added the smoky flavor of merken, a seasoning I picked up when in Santiago, Chile last month.. but have left that out of this recipe.

Grilled Asparagus with Spicy Lemon Mayoasparagus

Fresh asparagus, stalks snapped near the base and rinsed in cold water
Olive oil
Salt
Spicy Lemon Mayo
Mayonnaise
Zest and freshly squeezed juice from a lemon.
Cayenne pepper, to taste

Preheat the grill, brush the asparagus spears with olive oil. Cook the spears over direct heat, turning several times, for 5 to 7 minutes or until slightly browned. Remove from grill and sprinkle with some salt to taste.

To make the sauce, add the lemon zest to the mayonnaise then thin with some fresh lemon juice until the consistency of a thick salad dressing. Season with cayenne to taste.

– bonnie