Botanical Lattice Appetizer (Printable Version)

Crisp asparagus and chives woven into a lattice filled with fresh berries for vibrant spring gatherings.

# 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 1-2 minutes until just tender and bright green. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then pat dry.
02 - Dip chive stems quickly in hot water for five seconds to soften, then cool in ice water and pat dry.
03 - On a large platter or baking sheet, arrange eight asparagus stalks parallel with even spacing. Weave eight more stalks perpendicularly over and under to form a grid pattern.
04 - Gently tie chive stems around each crossing point of the asparagus lattice to hold the structure firmly.
05 - Place a mixture of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and golden berries carefully into the open squares of the lattice.
06 - Drizzle the assembled lattice with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle flaky sea salt, and add freshly ground black pepper just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like restaurant-quality art but comes together in under 30 minutes with zero baking.
  • The contrast between crisp asparagus and juicy berries hits all your senses at once, making it impossible to forget.
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so you're not stressed about dietary accommodations.
02 -
  • Don't skip the ice bath after blanching—it's the difference between asparagus that's limp and one that holds its structure through assembly.
  • The chives need to cool completely before tying or they'll snap; I learned this the expensive way after wasting a bunch of beautiful herbs.
03 -
  • Trim your asparagus to uniform length so each stalk looks intentional and none stick out awkwardly—it matters more than you'd think.
  • Room temperature asparagus and chilled berries create an interesting temperature contrast that keeps each bite interesting and prevents the greens from wilting.
Go Back