Botanical Lattice Appetizer (Print Version)

Crisp asparagus and fresh fruits woven into an edible lattice bursting with natural flavors.

# What to Use:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

01 - 16 medium asparagus stalks, trimmed
02 - 16 fresh chives, long 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

# How to Prepare:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until just tender and vibrant green. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to halt cooking, then 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, evenly spaced. Weave the remaining 8 stalks perpendicularly over and under to form a grid pattern.
04 - Use chive stems to gently tie the intersections of the asparagus grid, securing the lattice structure.
05 - Place a combination of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and golden berries into the open squares formed by the lattice.
06 - Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and add freshly ground black pepper just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that makes people pause before eating because it looks too beautiful to touch.
  • You'll feel like you've created restaurant-quality elegance in your own kitchen in under 30 minutes.
  • The contrast of tender asparagus, tart berries, and herbaceous chives creates layers of flavor that keep surprising you with each bite.
02 -
  • If your asparagus is still too tough after blanching, you'll battle it during weaving; lean toward slightly underdone because it firms up as it cools and becomes more forgiving to work with.
  • The chive stems are your building secret—don't skip softening them or they'll snap the moment you tie them, and suddenly your beautiful grid becomes a sad pile of vegetables.
03 -
  • Prep everything ahead of time but assemble just before serving, because berries weep and asparagus can stiffen if it sits too long at room temperature.
  • If you're nervous about the weaving, practice with just two or three asparagus stalks first to find your rhythm before committing to the full lattice on your serving platter.
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