Asparagus Mousse

Photo: flickr user FotoosVanRobin

Ingredients

2 pounds asparagus

1/2 cup mayonnaise

4 teaspoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon green onion, chopped

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup water

1 cup whipping cream

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Break off tough stems from asparagus and discard. Peel lower half of asparagus stems; cut into 1-inch lengths. In saucepan of boiling salted water, cook asparagus for about 10-minutes or until tender; drain. In food processor or blender, process until smooth. There should be about 2 cups puree. Transfer to saucepan. Add mayonnaise, lemon juice and onion; cook over low heat just until warmed through.

Meanwhile, in small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand for 5 minutes to soften.

Over low heat, warm gelatin until disolved; stir into asparagus mixture. Transfer to bowl and place in large bowl of ice and water to chill, stirring frequently, for 10 to 15 minutes or until cold and slightly thickened. Remove from iced water.

Whip cream; set aside. In large bowl, beat egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form. Whisk about one-quarter of the beaten egg whites into cooled asparagus mixture; fold into remaining whites along with whipped cream. Pour into rinsed 6-cup mould. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 2 days.

To unmould, wrap hot damp tea towel around mould for 1 minute. Using knife, loosen top edge of mousse from mould. Tilt or gently shake mould to loosen mousse. Invert rinsed serving platter on top of mould. Grasp platter and mould; quickly turn over. Shake using quick downward motion, to release mousse from mould. Lift off mould. (If mousse sticks, repeat the procedure.)