Botanical Lattice Asparagus Chives (Printable)

A crisp asparagus and chive lattice with fresh fruit nests, ideal for elegant spring starters.

# Ingredient list:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until just tender and bright green. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then pat dry.
02 - Briefly dip chive stems in hot water for 5 seconds to soften. Cool in ice water and pat dry.
03 - On a large platter or baking sheet, lay 8 asparagus stalks parallel and spaced evenly. Weave the remaining 8 stalks perpendicularly over and under to form a grid pattern.
04 - Gently tie chive stems around each crossing point to hold the lattice securely.
05 - Nestle a combination of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and golden berries into the open squares of the asparagus grid.
06 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the lattice. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks so stunning on the table that people actually gasp before eating it.
  • Everything tastes as good as it looks—none of that all-show-no-substance nonsense.
  • Spring vegetables and fresh berries come together in a way that feels both elegant and effortlessly light.
02 -
  • Don't over-blanch the asparagus or you'll end up with mushy stalks that fall apart during weaving—1-2 minutes is genuinely all you need.
  • The chives must be completely dry after their ice bath, or they'll slip off the intersections instead of holding the lattice together.
  • Assemble this no more than 30 minutes before serving so the vegetables stay crisp and the berries don't release too much liquid into the platter.
03 -
  • Use a kitchen shears for trimming chives instead of a knife—they cut cleaner and the stems fray less.
  • Practice your lattice pattern with the asparagus first before you commit to the whole arrangement; confidence shows in how the final dish looks.
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