Botanical Lattice Asparagus Chives (Printable)

Crisp asparagus and chives woven into a lattice with fresh berries for a refreshing starter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

01 - 16 medium asparagus stalks, trimmed
02 - 16 long chive stems

→ Fruits

03 - 1/2 cup blueberries
04 - 1/2 cup raspberries
05 - 1/2 cup small strawberries, halved if large
06 - 1/2 cup golden berries, halved if large

→ Seasoning

07 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until tender and bright green. Transfer immediately to an ice bath and pat dry.
02 - Dip chive stems in hot water for 5 seconds to soften, then cool in ice water and pat dry.
03 - On a large platter or baking sheet, lay 8 asparagus stalks parallel, spaced evenly. Weave 8 additional stalks perpendicular over and under to form a grid.
04 - Tie chive stems gently around the intersections of the asparagus lattice to hold the grid firmly.
05 - Nestle an even mix of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and golden berries into the open squares of the lattice.
06 - Drizzle olive oil over the lattice, sprinkle flaky sea salt, and add freshly ground black pepper to taste just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks fancy enough to make you feel proud, but comes together faster than you'd think.
  • The contrast between tender asparagus, bright berries, and that subtle peppery bite is genuinely addictive.
  • It's one of those rare dishes that works as a show-stopping starter or an elegant light lunch.
02 -
  • If your asparagus isn't properly cooled after blanching, it'll keep cooking and go mushy—the ice bath is non-negotiable.
  • Oversoaking the chives in hot water turns them into limp noodles; five seconds is genuinely enough.
03 -
  • Make sure your platter or baking sheet is completely dry before assembling—any water pools will wilt your vegetables and make the whole thing look sad.
  • If you're nervous about the weaving, practice with just the asparagus first without any fruit, then add berries once you're comfortable with the structure.
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