La Cocotte Verte

Asparagus are one of the deliciously edible joys of Spring! Don’t skip the pickled onions in this recipe — they add piquancy and a wonderful jolt of pink to contrast with the green asparagus. Choose asparagus that are not too thin for this salad; tiny thin ones overcook very easily. The asparagus can be served at room temperature or chilled.

Serve this almost flourless torte with a dollop of orange-scented whipped cream to accent its deep chocolate flavor. Because chocolate is one of the primary ingredients of this simple torte, it’s crucial to use good chocolate with at least 60% cocoa solids.