Botanical Lattice Asparagus Chives (Printable)

Crisp asparagus and chives form an edible lattice filled with fresh fruit for a vibrant spring starter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

01 - 16 medium asparagus stalks, trimmed
02 - 16 fresh chive stems

→ Fruits

03 - 1/2 cup blueberries
04 - 1/2 cup raspberries
05 - 1/2 cup small strawberries, halved if large
06 - 1/2 cup golden berries, halved if large

→ Seasoning

07 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1/4 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 - Lay 8 asparagus stalks parallel on a large platter or baking sheet, spaced evenly. Weave the remaining 8 stalks perpendicularly over and under to form a grid.
04 - Gently tie chive stems around the crossing points of the asparagus lattice to hold the grid together.
05 - Nestle a combination of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and golden berries into the open squares of the lattice evenly.
06 - Drizzle olive oil over the lattice, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and add a touch of freshly ground black pepper just before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but comes together faster than you'd think, making you feel like a culinary magician.
  • The interplay of tender asparagus, tart berries, and herbaceous chives creates a bright, balanced bite that feels almost weightless.
  • It's a conversation starter—guests genuinely engage with the lattice structure before diving in.
02 -
  • Don't skip the ice bath after blanching—it's the difference between crisp asparagus that holds its shape and limp stalks that collapse when you try to weave them.
  • The chives need to be softened but not cooked through; they should feel like silk ribbons, not rubber bands.
  • Assemble this no more than 2 hours before serving so berries don't weep liquid onto the platter, which dulls the visual impact.
03 -
  • If your asparagus stalks are particularly thick, slice them in half lengthwise so they're more flexible and easier to weave without cracking.
  • Prep everything except final assembly up to 4 hours ahead; this is actually a dish where advance work takes pressure off you right before guests arrive.
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