Asparagus with Poached Egg and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Recipe by Julie Goodwin

Asparagus is back in season! Finally we are seeing fresh, delicious Australian asparagus on the shelves and what a treat it is. It’s great just lightly sautéed or steamed, beautiful in a quiche, a lovely addition to a spring salad or wrapped in prosciutto and grilled as a simple appetiser. This dish is a simple weekend breakfast.

Serves 4

Prep time:  10 minutes  Cooking time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 rashers bacon, rind removed, very finely diced
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 bunches (approx. 16 spears) fresh green asparagus, woody ends removed
4 fresh eggs

In a fry pan over medium-high heat, place olive oil and chopped bacon.  After a few minutes the bacon will become golden and crispy.  A few little pieces might jump around in the pan so be careful.  Add the vinegar and remove the pan from the heat.  Mix well.

Place about 5cm of salted water into a large, deep fry pan or chef’s pan.  Bring to a fast simmer.  

Simmer the asparagus for roughly 1 ½ minutes, or until bright green and tender but still crisp.  (Exact time will depend on the thickness of the spears.)  

Drain on a paper towel.  Reduce the heat in the fry pan to a gentle simmer.  

Crack an egg into a teacup and gently release it into the water.  Repeat with the other three eggs.  Poach for 2 minutes or until the egg white is just set and the yolk is runny.  

Serve the asparagus on a slice of toasted sourdough or baguette, topped with the poached egg and generously drizzled with the bacon vinaigrette.