Les oeufs modestes

This recipe is very humble and satisfying — hence the name, which means 'modest eggs'.

Les oeufs modestes Credit: Kylie Kwong: Heart and Soul

• serves

  6

• prep

  10 minutes

• cook

  5 minutes

• difficulty

  Easy

This recipe is very humble and satisfying — hence the name, which means 'modest eggs'. Either duck eggs or hen eggs will suffice, as long as they are fresh. To soft-boil duck eggs, bring water to the boil, then add eggs and cook for 7 minutes; remove and refresh in iced water. For hen eggs, reduce the cooking time to 4 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 large green asparagus spears
• 6 soft-boiled free-range eggs
• 2 tsp dill, finely chopped
• 1½ tbsp flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• pinch of sea salt
• pinch of cracked white pepper

Serve 6 as a starter

Instructions

1. Wash asparagus and snap off and discard woody ends. Peel lower parts of stems. Add asparagus to boiling salted water and cook until 'al dente' — about 3 minutes. Drain, then plunge asparagus into a large bowl of iced water for 30 seconds; drain well. Slice asparagus on the diagonal.
2. Carefully peel the eggs, cut in half and arrange on a platter with the asparagus. Garnish with herbs and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

 

Kylie Kwong: Heart and Soul premieres on Wednesday 21 November at 8.30pm. The series airs Wednesdays at 8.30pm on SBS Food (Channel 33). After they air, episodes will stream at SBS On Demand. 

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

This recipe is very humble and satisfying — hence the name, which means 'modest eggs'. Either duck eggs or hen eggs will suffice, as long as they are fresh. To soft-boil duck eggs, bring water to the boil, then add eggs and cook for 7 minutes; remove and refresh in iced water. For hen eggs, reduce the cooking time to 4 minutes.