Recipes: Egg Roulade, Roasted Asparagus, Brown Sugar Ham, Sour Cream Pound Cake

EGG ROULADE

Serves 6 to 7.

Note: This calls for a 10- by 15-inch jellyroll pan (a baking sheet with edges). If you have a different size, just shape the batter on the pan accordingly. I've made two of these at a time, for a group of 12 diners, and I made the batter individually for each. With two roulades, it's a little extra last-minute pressure, but given the ease of the rest of meal, it's doable. The oven, however, will be full. Adapted from Sara Moulton.

• 5 tbsp. butter

• 6 tbsp. flour

• 11/4 c. milk

• 4 eggs, separated

• Filling (see below)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the 10- by 15-inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper; either butter or spray it with cooking oil.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Increase heat to high, whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often.

Transfer flour mixture to a large bowl. Whisk in the egg yolks 1 at a time. Season with pepper.

Pour the batter onto the parchment paper and smooth it out. Bake for 15 minutes, or until firm to the touch.

Meanwhile, prepare any filling that needs to be warmed. Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees. Cover the egg surface with another oiled or buttered piece of parchment. Invert onto the counter, and peel off the parchment on the top.

Sprinkle the egg surface with whatever filling is to be used. Starting on the long side of the egg surface, and using the parchment on the bottom to help, roll up the egg, jellyroll fashion. Place the roulade back on the jellyroll pan, with parchment underneath, and return it to the oven. Bake until any cheese in the filling has melted, about 10 minutes. To serve, cut into 1/2-inch slices.

Filling variations:

The filling must be prepared and hot (except for cheese) before it is placed on the cooked egg surface. Make sure any moisture in the vegetables is gone; heat in a sauté pan to assure it.

• Diced sautéed mushrooms and Gruyère cheese

• Cooked, chopped spinach (make sure it's thoroughly dry) and Parmesan cheese

• Slices of prosciutto and any grated cheese

• Black beans and diced roasted red peppers

• Diced ham and grated Cheddar cheese

• Cooked and crumbled bacon or sausage

Topping variations:

• Grated cheese or fresh, minced herbs

• Salsa

• Green chile sauce

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Servings vary.

Note: You can roast the asparagus at a variety of temperatures, depending on what else you have cooking in the oven. You'll need to adapt the length of time accordingly. Generally I roast the asparagus at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, but because the egg roulade is in the oven, for this menu I will cook it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. If you're making two roulades, consider roasting the asparagus prior to baking the egg batter. The lemon zest (the grated rind) gives the asparagus a bright, light flavor that seems springlike.

• Fresh asparagus

• Olive oil

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Break off ends of asparagus. Toss with olive oil and lemon zest, if using, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in ovenproof dish. Roast for about 30 to 35 minutes, tossing once, or until asparagus is as tender as you want. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BROWN SUGAR HAM

Servings vary.

• Brown sugar (for an 8 lb. ham, about 2 cups)

• Ham (chunk or slices)

Directions

In a slow cooker or skillet, sprinkle half the brown sugar. Place ham, flat side down, on sugar and sprinkle remaining brown sugar on top.

In a slow cooker, heat on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for about 3 hours. In a skillet, cook until meat is thoroughly heated through and sugar has melted and caramelized on meat.

Serves 12.

Note: The cake can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. If you only have a smaller pan (9 inches instead of 10), use the excess batter to make cupcakes.

• 11/2 c. flour, plus more for dusting pan

• 2 tsp. baking powder

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 8 oz. (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature

• 2 c. sugar

• 3 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

• Finely grated zest from 2 lemons

• 4 eggs, room temperature

• Blueberry Sauce (see recipe)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch springform pan, tube pan or 2 loaf pans.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is smooth and creamy. Slowly add the sugar, while continuing the beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the cream cheese and lemon zest and continue beating.

Bake until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 20 minutes for 10-inch pans (40 to 45 minutes for loaf pans).

Serve with Blueberry Sauce and fresh berries or whipped cream.

BLUEBERRY SAUCE

Makes about 2 cups.

• 1 pint blueberries (or about 12 oz. frozen and thawed)

• 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, strained

• 1 tbsp. water

• 11/2 tsp. cornstarch

Directions

In a stainless steel pot, combine blueberries, sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium-high heat until the blueberries burst.