Marjorie Taylor’s Asparagus Risotto and Market Day in Beaune

It’s the tail-end of asparagus season and whether you’re in France or the USA, you can make the most of the bounty with this asparagus risotto from Marjorie Taylor. She is a longtime HIP Paris friend and one of the women from the mother/daughter duo behind Beaune’s beloved cooking school The Cook’s Atelier. Perfect for a light meal, or a special occasion like Father’s Day.~ HIP Paris editors

BeAUNE- A perfect getaway for Market Days and Vineyards

To a food and wine lover, Beaune makes for a perfect day or weekend getaway when visiting Paris.  It is ideally located, just a couple hours from Paris via the TGV, and gives visitors a little taste of authentic France.   Beaune is a very picturesque, international little town that offers many possibilities for those interested in learning more about the food and wine of the region.  You can explore the small wine villages just outside Beaune and bike through the famous vineyards, wine tasting all along the way.

One of my favorite things to do on a bright spring morning in Burgundy is to visit a local market. You know spring is here when the season’s first wild leeks and artichokes appear at the market.  The air is perfumed with the smell of tiny Gariguette strawberries and the vendors’ stalls are filled with violet and white asparagus, wild leeks, fava beans, and spring peas.

The market days in Beaune are on Wednesday and Saturday.  Locals fill their market baskets to the brim before stopping at Le Parisian, a favorite local brasserie, for a leisurely coffee or glass of crémant before heading home.  On Saturdays, during the spring and summer months, there is a brocante in Place Carnot, the perfect place to find a vintage Madeleine pan, copper pots or French linens.

As an American cook, I am still in awe of the markets in France. I base my menus on what looks good at the market, and the people who spend their lives growing good food constantly inspire me…  Monsieur Méneger, for instance, is a chef and farmer passionate about heritage breeds of pigs and chickens. Madame Loichet gathers produce from her own garden for the Saturday morning market in Beaune. Monsieur Vossot is an artisan butcher who takes pride in preserving his craft. I am especially fond of Madame Petit for her fresh eggs and Madame Pechoux for what could be the most beautiful salad greens I have ever seen.

Asparagus Risotto with brown butter

Spring is a lovely reminder that food is best when purchased locally and in season.  To get inspired, visit your local farmers’ market for your ingredients and eat alfresco.  Market greens and violet asparagus simply dressed with a light drizzle of olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice or steamed artichokes with homemade aioli are the perfect spring lunch.  For something a little more substantial, try this perfect asparagus risotto, a favorite at The Cook’s Atelier.

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus, peeled trimmed and cut into one-inch long pieces, tips reserved
• 4 to 6 cups vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 medium red onion, diced
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• sea salt to taste
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese