Swedish Grilled White Asparagus with Velvety Hollandaise

Introduction

White asparagus, often revered as "white gold" in Europe, is a seasonal delicacy that signals the true arrival of spring. In Sweden, enjoying this tender, slightly nutty vegetable is a cherished tradition, especially when paired with a rich, buttery sauce. Unlike its green counterpart, white asparagus grows underground, preventing chlorophyll development, resulting in a milder, sweeter flavor and a luxuriously smooth texture. However, it requires a bit more care in preparation to truly shine.

While the traditional Swedish method involves gently poaching the spears, cooking them on an Arteflame grill adds an incredible dimension of flavor. The high-heat sear caramelizes the natural sugars, adding a subtle smokiness that cuts through the richness of the creamy Hollandaise. This recipe brings a rustic elegance to your outdoor cooking, transforming a simple vegetable into a sophisticated centerpiece that looks as stunning as it tastes.

Ingredients

For the Asparagus

• 1 bunch fresh white asparagus (thick spears are best)
• 1 tbsp salt (for the water)
• 1 tsp sugar (helps reduce bitterness)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted, for brushing)
• Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)

For the Hollandaise Sauce

• 3 large egg yolks (room temperature)
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and warm
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp water (cold)
• Salt, to taste
• White pepper, pinch
• Cayenne pepper, pinch (optional for heat)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the White Asparagus

1. Wash the asparagus thoroughly in cold water to remove any grit.
2. Unlike green asparagus, white asparagus has a tough, fibrous outer skin that must be removed. Using a vegetable peeler, start from just below the delicate head and peel all the way down to the bottom. Peel generously to ensure no stringy bits remain.
3. Snap off the woody ends (usually the bottom 1-2 inches) where they naturally break when bent.

Step 2: The Par-Boil (Crucial for Texture)

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt, sugar, and lemon juice.
2. Add the peeled asparagus to the boiling water. Lower the heat and let it simmer gently for about 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness. You want them tender but still firm (al dente).
3. Remove carefully and pat dry with paper towels. This step ensures the inside is cooked perfectly before the high heat of the grill hits the outside.

Step 3: Making the Hollandaise

1. While the asparagus cooks, prepare the sauce. In a heatproof bowl (or a small saucepan on the cooler outer edge of your Arteflame), whisk the egg yolks and cold water until they become pale and frothy.
2. Slowly drizzle in the warm melted butter while whisking constantly and vigorously. The mixture should emulsify into a thick, creamy sauce.
3. Stir in the lemon juice, salt, white pepper, and cayenne. Taste and adjust acidity as needed. Keep warm near the grill, but not directly over high heat, or the eggs will scramble.

Step 4: Grilling on the Arteflame

1. Fire up your Arteflame grill. Brush the cooktop with a little oil or butter.
2. Brush the par-boiled asparagus with melted butter.
3. Place the spears on the flat steel griddle (plancha) surface. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side, rolling them occasionally.
4. You are looking for a beautiful golden-brown sear and slight char marks. The sugars will caramelize quickly, so keep an eye on them.
5. Remove from the grill and plate immediately. Pour the generous amount of Hollandaise over the spears and garnish with fresh herbs.

Tips

The secret to perfect white asparagus lies almost entirely in the peeling. If you leave even a thin layer of the skin, the vegetable can be stringy and unpleasant to eat. Don't be afraid to peel twice to get down to the tender core. Additionally, adding sugar to the boiling water is a classic European trick; it neutralizes the slight bitterness that can sometimes accompany white asparagus, enhancing its natural sweetness.

When working with the Hollandaise on an Arteflame, temperature management is key. If the sauce gets too hot, the butter will separate from the eggs. If your sauce "breaks," don't panic. You can often fix it by whisking a teaspoon of boiling water into a fresh bowl and slowly dripping the broken sauce into it while whisking vigorously. Always serve this dish immediately; Hollandaise forms a skin if left sitting for too long.

Variations

This dish is a classic canvas that welcomes creativity. While the traditional lemon Hollandaise is spectacular, you can easily tweak the flavor profile to match the rest of your meal. Here are a few ways to switch it up without losing the soul of the dish:

• Brown Butter Hollandaise: Brown the butter before emulsifying it into the yolks for a deep, nutty, toffee-like flavor profile.
• Nordic Style (Skagen): Top the asparagus and Hollandaise with a handful of small, cold-water shrimp and a spoonful of trout roe.
• Herb Infusion: Blend fresh tarragon or chives into the Hollandaise for a vibrant green color and fresh garden taste.
• Blood Orange Twist: Substitute the lemon juice in the sauce with blood orange juice for a sweeter, floral citrus note and a pink hue.
• Vegan Option: Grill the asparagus with olive oil and serve with a cashew-cream based sauce seasoned with nutritional yeast and lemon.

Best pairings

White asparagus with Hollandaise is a rich dish, so it requires beverages and sides that can cut through that creaminess while complementing the vegetable's delicate flavor. In Sweden, this is often served as a starter or a light main course during Walpurgis celebrations.

• Wine: A crisp, dry white wine is essential. Look for a German Riesling (trocken), a Grüner Veltliner, or an unoaked Chardonnay. The acidity in these wines balances the buttery sauce perfectly.
• Protein: If serving this as a side, it pairs beautifully with grilled salmon, smoked ham (Schinken), or a tender veal schnitzel.
• Side: Boiled new potatoes tossed in dill and butter are the traditional starch to accompany this meal, soaking up any extra sauce.

Conclusion

Mastering Swedish Grilled White Asparagus on the Arteflame is a culinary achievement that brings the elegance of fine dining to your backyard barbecue. The combination of the tender, sweet vegetable with the smokiness of the grill and the decadent, velvety sauce creates a flavor profile that is sophisticated yet comforting. It is a celebration of spring produce at its finest.

Whether you are hosting a festive dinner party or simply treating yourself to a seasonal luxury, this recipe delivers on all fronts. The visual contrast of the white spears, golden sauce, and green herbs is sure to impress. So, fire up the grill, pour a glass of crisp white wine, and enjoy the taste of a Swedish spring.