Sesame toast with new season asparagus (gluten-free;dairy-free;vegan)

Gluten-free_vegan_sesame_toast_topped_with_pan-fried_British_asparagus — New season asparagus on sesame toast. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. It’s that time of year again when I welcome the arrival of the British asparagus season. From around the middle of April to the end of May/beginning of June, I have just a few weeks to feast on my favourite green vegetable.

2024_new_season_British_asparagus — New season British asparagus. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I have suggested a few accompaniments to this delicious vegetable over the years. I like to keep it simple and enjoy the stems for their own unique flavour, and this year’s offering is no exception. Delicious crispy fried toasts dipped in a sesame batter and served with a sesame flavoured mayo dressing.

2024_British_asparagus_tips — Tip top British asparagus. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

When the asparagus season is over, make and cut the toasts into triangles and serve as a crunchy and very moreish snack – they really are very tasty.

Pile_of_gluten-free_vegan_sesame_toasts_and_dip — Crisp and crunchy sesame triangles. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Makes: 4 servings of asparagus on toast, or 16 sesame triangles

Ingredients

2tbsp chickpea canning water (aquafaba)
20g gram (chickpea) flour
20g ground flaxseeds
Pinch of salt
4tbsp plant milk
4 slices free-from bread
40g toasted sesame seeds
Vegetable oil for shallow frying
6tbsp vegan mayonnaise
1tbsp Teriyaki marinade
2tsp sesame oil
Chopped spring onion to serve
300g new season fine asparagus spears

1. Put the chickpea water in a bowl and whisk with an electric mixer until very thick and foamy.

2. Mix the flours and salt in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the milk. Gradually mix everything together then fold in the chickpea foam.

3. Put some of the batter on a plate or in a shallow dish. Working on one piece of bread at a time, dip the bread on both sides and sprinkle the top with a few seeds.

Making_the_batter_for_gluten-free_vegan_sesame_toasts — Making the sesame toast batter. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

4. Pour sufficient vegetable oil to just cover the base of a large frying pan and heat until hot. Cook the battered bread over a medium to low heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side until crisp and golden. Drain and keep warm whilst coating and cooking the other 3 slices.

Cooking_gluten-free_vegan_sesame_toast — Cooking the toasts and making the dip. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

5. For the dip, mix the mayonnaise with the marinade and 1tsp sesame oil. Cut the toasts into triangles, sprinkle with spring onion and serve warm with the mayo to dip.

Gluten-free_vegan_sesame_toasts — Sesame toasts with freshly chopped spring onion. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

To serve topped with asparagus, trim a little from the ends of the asparagus stems. Heat a little vegetable oil in a large frying pan until hot and stir fry the stems for about 5 minutes until just tender and lightly browned.

Preparing_and_pan-frying_new_season_British_asparagus_2024 — Pan-frying new season asparagus. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Turn off the heat, season with a little salt and drizzle over a little sesame oil. Stand for 5 minutes before serving on sesame toast with a drizzle of the sesame mayo.