Does anything say ‘spring’ more than asparagus? It’s a vegetable that I’ll gladly eat five times a week when it’s in season – not exaggerating. I typically blanch the tender spears in some boiling water and eat them doused in good olive oil and sprinkled with salt. But this asparagus dish is all dressed up with grated eggs and capers, ready for a party!
And this isn’t just any party, it’s a baby shower for the lovely Michelle of Healthy Recipe Ecstasy.
In early March, Michelle and her husband Alasdair had a beautiful baby boy, Alexander. Based on the fabulous dishes that Michelle posts on her blog, he should be one happy, healthy little guy!
This is a shower of the virtual variety, but with so many lovely dishes, I for one, wish it were in-person!
If you’re planning a baby shower, or any spring party, you’ll love this menu full of healthy recipes that don’t sacrifice flavor!
Appetizers:
Asparagus Tomato Crostini with Fresh Mint and Chives, by Robyn of Simply Fresh Dinners
Manchego Cheese Fritters with Honey Mustard Ranch, by Justine of Cooking and Beer
Strawberry Bruschetta with Raspberry Balsalmic Vinegar, by Jenny of The NY Melrose Family
Entrees:
Mahi Mahi with Dragon Fruit-Pineapple Salsa, by Christine of No Gojis, No Glory
Curried Fish Tacos with Cabbage and Carrot Slaw, by Maggie of Omnivore’s Cookbook
Spicy Asian Chicken Puff Pastry Bites with Hoisin Peanut Sauce, by Lauren of Climbing Grier Mountain
Kimchi Salmon and Rainbow Pickles, by Bobbi of Bam’s Kitchen
Chipotle Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos, by Margaret of Natural Chow
Sides
Asian Jerk Meatball Wraps, by Lisa of Healthy Nibbles & Bits
Warm Corn Salad, by Michelle of The Complete Savorist
Roasted Cauliflower and Pearl Barley Bowls with Creamy Tahini-Dill Dressing, by Faith of An Edible Mosaic
Salads
Asparagus with Grated Egg and Capers, recipe below!
Grilled Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Salad with Coconut Curry Almond Butter Vinaigrette, by Taylor of Food Faith Fitness
Strawberry Spinach Salad, by Sara of Bitz & Giggles
Desserts
Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt Cheesecake with a Cookie Dough Crust, by Michelle of Vitamin Sunshine
Coconut Sorbet, by Serene of House of Yumm
Almond and Caramel Date Tart with Chocolate Ganache (Vegan and Gluten-Free), by Aida of The Crafting Foodie
And if that menu wasn’t enough, how about a giveaway?! The shower attendees have chipped in for a new KitchenAid Blender! Enter below.
- 3 eggs
- 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained
- coarse sea salt, such as Maldon
- freshly ground black pepper
- Add eggs to a small saucepan and cover with cold water; bring to boil. Remove from heat, cover and set your timer for 9 minutes. Drain eggs and cover with cold water, let sit for a few minutes and then peel. Grate eggs on a coarse cheese grater or very finely chop with a sharp knife.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Meanwhile, with your hands, snap the tough, woody ends off of the asparagus.
- Add asparagus spears to boiling water and cook two minutes, just until crisp-tender and bright green. Drain and arrange on platter. Drizzle olive oil over asparagus and top with the grated eggs and capers. Season to taste with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve.
Welcome! I'm Marissa, and I write this blog. I write about the recipes that propel me (and hopefully you) into the kitchen. 
Marissa, this looks amazing! I love the combo of flavors, and it’s so perfect for spring!
Thanks, Aida! Yes, some of my favorites!
What a great post Marissa! Everything looks so tasty!
Thank you, Kristi!
The virtual baby shower is such a super idea, love it! A big fan of asparagus myself, love your egg and caper take with the green spear.
Thanks, Sara. Yes, the eggs and capers get along very well with the green spear. 😉
This is such a fabulous virtual party! Love your side dish. Asparagus is my favorite!
It’s one of my spring favorites too, Jen! Thank you…
Love this recipe! I sure do agree on you Asparagus season is wonderful. And having some grated eggs with it makes it even more fun and delicious 🙂
Thanks, Maggie! Yes, definitely love the combo of asparagus and eggs.
Asparagus is my favorite spring veggie and this preparation is right up my alley- lovely 🙂 All-in-all this is one delicious looking party!
Thanks, Sonali. It’s mine too – though artichokes are a close second!
What a sweet collection of recipes for a sweet woman! I wish I were at this shower in real life!
She really is sweet, Erin! And me too!! 🙂
Oh my goodness! That grated egg! Love everything about this fun spin on asparagus!
Thank you, Justine!
So beautiful and springy! I’ve made something very much like this with broccolini, so I can only imagine how much better it must be with fresh spring asparagus.
That’s a great idea, Eileen! I’ll have to try it on broccolini next…
I wish this shower was in person too! I was actually contemplating making a dish with grated/crumbled eggs the other day! This looks amazing and right up my alley. Eggs and asparagus are one of my favorite combos. Thanks so much Marissa!
Thanks so much, Michelle! What a beautiful, new baby boy you have!! xo
Marissa, now this is a baby shower I would really want to attend because of all the FOOD! 🙂 love this asparagus with grated egg and capers .. what a GREAT idea! love it!
Thanks, Alice. And tasting all of the food? You and me too! 😉
I think I love asparagus just as much as you do Marissa! I love love love when Spring roles around, and we can add all these bright and beautiful ingredients to our dishes. The flavor combo is so interesting. Pinning so I can try!
It’s the best! Thanks so much, Christine!
You’re right, nothing says spring like asparagus! I have a jar of capers sitting around in my apartment and I had no clue what to do with them. Love that you paired them with eggs and asparagus!
Thanks, Lisa. Don’t you love that salty, briny caper kick!? 🙂
Love asparagus with eggs! These look awesome Marissa! Love the menu for the baby shower, so nice of you guys to do it for her!
Thanks, Mira! It was really a lot of fun…
Great shower and giveaway, Marissa! I lurrrrve your simple asparagus recipe (I’m an asparagus addict too but have never tried grating eggs – they look really pretty with those capers). I also love the sound of those manchego cheese fritters. Oh, my goodness!
This was the first time I’ve topped it with grated eggs too, but definitely not the last! 🙂 And, I agree! Those fritters look amazing.
Oh my gosh, how sweet!! And it’s even more of a surprise since he’s already been born…but why should the party not continue during the whole first year of his life?! I like the way you guys think. And yay for asparagus! It’s my favorite right now and I love how you’ve served it topped with the eggs and capers!
Exactly! Keep the party going, right? Thanks, Joanne!
Hehe my friend just told me that she is pregnant so this post is the perfect time and counting the months, next Spring is probably when her baby will be a few months old! Great time for a spring party 🙂
Oh boy. I would love to come to ANY party that you threw, my friend! 🙂
Gosh what a fabulous virtual party! You guys all really brought your A-game. And that baby is just too sweet! I love your side dish- it’s just so Spring-y and seasonal 🙂
He is a sweetie, isn’t he!? I love that little grid of pictures – what a character. I think we all had fun putting this together. I just wish I could taste it all!
Hi Marissa! I just finished “chores” – gathering eggs and picking asparagus from our garden, so this is perfect for lunch tomorrow. Thanks!
Okay Dorothy, I am seriously jealous! I guarantee that yours will taste better than mine – all home grown!
Hi Marissa! I don’t know as mine was better, but it certainly was good! The only difficulty with eggs that fresh is they are harder to peel. I find that if I put them in a zip bag and chill them overnight they peel much easier. We’ll be eating more of this as long as our asparagus keeps coming!
That’s a great tip, Dorothy. We buy our eggs from a local pig farmer and they’re super fresh. So I know what you mean about hard to peel. I’ll try your method for sure!
I need to find someone having a baby so I can have a baby shower. I want your asparagus and every other dish at this party. Well done and what a cutie!
Isn’t he sweet?! Thanks, Maureen.
Marissa! This is soo sweet, a virtual baby shower, I love it!! Oh what an AWESOME round up of recipes!! Totally entering the draw – when I win, could you hold onto th blender for me until I come pick it up later this year 😉
Love the asparagus, this is a way I prepare it too!! 🙂
We’ve got a room in the house with your name on it, Nagi!
Love this beautiful round-up of spring baby shower recipes! I want to dive into that plate of asparagus. The grated egg and caper topping sounds perfect!
Thanks Ashley – and I know what you mean! I could almost eat the whole platter myself!
Hi Marissa! Just discovered your blog…what a lovely space! This dish looks absolutely scrumptious! I love the idea of grating the egg over the asparagus…that way you get a bite of egg with each bite of asparagus. And the capers? Genius! Salty and the perfect compliment. I will definitely add this recipe to my must-eat list this week! 🙂 P.S. Alexander is adorable!!
So kind, thank you!! It’s the first time I’ve grated eggs and I love the texture. I’m planning to grate a lot of them over salads this summer! And, yes he is!! (Alexander!) 🙂
This dish is ready for a party indeed! What a way to dress up an already elegant veggie…I love it!
Thanks, Faith. 🙂 You’re right there is something elegant about asparagus all by itself…
I have been drooling over this party menu! Oh to have been the taste tester of all of these… 🙂
Oh to have been….this whole virtual party thing doesn’t taste as good as the real thing. 😉
What a perfectly lovely spring baby shower menu! I love asparagus, I totally agree with you, I could have this everyday while in season!
I can’t get enough of it this time of year! 🙂
I would love nothing more then a plate of this right now! Such gorgeous photos and flavors!
So nice! Thanks, Lauren…