Bò Nướng Cuốn Măng Tây (Grilled Beef Wrapped Asparagus)

I threw a surprise birthday party for my husband a few days ago. Ironically, he was the first one to arrive. That was not really the surprise I was going for.

Usually I prepare all of his favorite dishes for family and friends to enjoy with him.  For the last couple weeks, he's been craving for Cơm Hến, grilled beef-wrapped asparagus a combination sweet-dessert drink of sương sáo hột é và đười ươi with young coconut juice, and dried logan. And although I just made an asparagus dish recently, I guess he didn't get enough.  So grilled beef-wrapped asparagus was one of a few appetizers for his birthday.

My older daughter didn't forget to make this card for her daddy

Grilled beef-wrapped asparagus is a new dish that we first tasted at the Asparagus Festival in Stockton a month ago.  My children and husband really like it, so he asked me to replicate the dish while the asparagus season is still around.

Recently in this wildly unpredictable weather, we had a beautiful afternoon and  my husband suddenly wanted to barbeque and invited my brother-in-law's family to join us for dinner. This was the very first time I experimented with the grilled asparagus dish.

I love the delicate fusion of fresh asparagus wrapped in a slice of beef, topped with slices of red onions and jalapeno that is slightly soaked in a savory sweet and tart sauce.  This dish is simple and yet very tasty and versatile. It can be an appetizer or you can make it the main dish.

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RECIPE: Bò  Nướng Cuốn Măng Tây

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Ingredients

A large bunch of asparagus
2 pounds thinly Sliced Rib Eye Beef (Japanese supermarkets usually carry it)
1 Sweet Red Onion, thinly sliced
4 Jalapeno, thinly sliced
A few prigs of Cilantro
1/2 cup Ponzu Sauce
1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon Sugar
1-2 tablespoons finely chopped Garlic

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Prepare Asparagus

Wash asparagus under cool running water. Chop off the tough ends, usually about 1 inch of the stalk.  

Steam or cook  asparagus for about 2 minutes.  Be sure not to overcook asparagus.  Remove from the pot.  Set it aside.

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Wrapping Asparagus

Place  a slice of beef on a cutting board, roll it around the two asparagus.  

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Grilling Beef Wrapped Asparagus

Grill it on high since the beef slices are thin and they can be overcooked easily.  If using the oven, broil on high on the top rack with the oven door slightly open. 

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Preparing Sauce

Combine ponzu sauce, soy sauce, sugar and garlic.  Mixed it well.  

If you don't have the Ponzu sauce, just combine soy sauce with  finely chopped garlic, vinegar, some lemon or lime juice, sugar and  dilute it with a little bit of water.  The sauce should be sweet and tart.  

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Presentation

Arrange a single layer of Grilled Beef Wrapped Asparagus on a plate.  Top with onion, jalapeno and cilantro.  Pour on the sauce and it's time to feast!

Enjoy!