Asian stir-fried asparagus and Wolfberger Riesling

Round about right now there are two types pf people I do not understand (well, in addition to my usual dislikes such as Neo Nazis and people with bad BO, anyway). People who've had enough of asparagus for one year and those, who refuse to touch it in the first place.

I don't know how fond of asparagus Asian people are, but the continent has served me inspiration before: just try this asparagus tempura! The inspiration for this came from a recent lunch I had in Stockholm and my. My, my. This just might be my favourite so far. 

It took me 3 days to drag myself out of the bed and into the kitchen to whip up a batch, but in case you are not hovering between life and death (and the latest season of Orange If The New Black), this dish comes together in mere 5 minutes.

Serve as a starter as it is or as a side dish ("grilled pork!" The Boy Next Door wailed. "I want some grilled pork to go with this!")

Serves 3

Asian stir-fried asparagus with chilli and garlic: 

bunch of asparagus

1 large clove of garlic (or 2 small ones), finely chopped

1 large red chilli, finely chopped

1 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger

a couple of tbsp oil for frying

To serve: bunch of coriander, chopped

Rice wine vinaigrette:

1/4 dl rice wine vinegar

the juice of 1/2 lime 

1,5 rkl canola or rape seed oil

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp honey

1 tsp mirin (this can be substituted by doubling the amount of honey)

Start by making the vinaigrette. Whisk together the ingredients and check for taste. In case you prefer it sweeter, add honey and/or mirin. In case you want a thicker and milder flavour, add more oil. 

Trim the asparagus (that is, chop off the dry ends) and cut diagonally into 5 cm pieces. In case the asparagus you're using is thick, cut them in half.

Heat some oil in a wok (or a frying pan). Add into the pan garlic, chilli and ginger and then asparagus. Cook until done (with still a bit bite to them) - about 5 minutes.

Pour vinaigrette over the asparagus, top with coriander and serve.

Asparagus and Asian food have (in addition to my greedy stomach!) another common denominator, too: Riesling. Since they are both so keen on Riesling and we are both so keen on Riesling, that's the wine we went for. And weren't wrong!

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ANYONE FOR SECONDS?