Botanical Lattice with Asparagus (Printable)

Crisp asparagus and chives woven into a lattice, filled with fresh fruit for a springtime starter.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

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

→ Fruits

03 - ½ cup blueberries
04 - ½ cup raspberries
05 - ½ cup small strawberries, halved if large
06 - ½ cup golden berries, halved if large

→ Seasoning

07 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
08 - ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

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 cool, then pat dry.
02 - Quickly 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 and evenly spaced. Weave the remaining 8 stalks perpendicularly over and under to form a grid.
04 - Gently tie chive stems around each crossing point of the asparagus lattice to hold the grid together.
05 - Nestle a blend of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and golden berries into the open squares formed by the lattice.
06 - Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and finish with freshly ground black pepper just before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks so elaborate that guests assume you've spent hours when really you've choreographed 30 minutes of pure efficiency.
  • The combination of tender asparagus, bright berries, and peppery chives creates complexity that feels indulgent yet refreshingly light.
02 -
  • Do not skip the ice bath after blanching—it halts the cooking immediately and locks in that brilliant green color that makes the whole thing photograph beautifully.
  • Pat everything completely dry before assembling; water pooling on asparagus will make chive ties slip off and berries turn soggy.
03 -
  • Weave gently and take your time with the grid—rushing causes asparagus to snap and breaks the visual magic you're building.
  • Keep chive stems in ice water until the last moment before tying; they're most pliable when cold and damp, less likely to crack.
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