I have even noticed a few much neglected asparagus spears popping up in our garden. However you will need more than a few spears to make the Toasted Asparagus and Swiss Cheese roll recipe from Ruth Pretty's latest book.
Ruth's book was a great project to work on as the food images were complemented by editorial photography, landscapes and photos of garden produce.
Ruth's recipe is a healthy version of the famous Dunedin cheese roll.
Toasted Asparagus and Swiss Cheese Rolls
Asparagus, one of the harbingers of spring, reminds me of the difference between living here in Wellington and in a city like London. Instead of year round supply we get proud announcements at Moore Wilson Fresh proclaiming the first arrivals from Tender Tips in Levin. The photographs here show some of the Tender Tips operation.
Tendertips Asparagus sign in Levin, NZ.
Tentertips asparagus growing in Levin, NZ.
Fresh asparagus being sorted by hand in Levin at Tendertips Asparagus..
Fresh asparagus being sorted by hand in Levin at Tendertips Asparagus.
Freshly picked asparagus being processed in Levin at Tendertip Asparagus.
Freshly picked asparagus being processed in Levin at tendertips Asparagus.
Freshly picked asparagus being processed in Levin at Tendertip Asparagus.
Freshly picked asparagus being processed in Levin at Tendertips Asparagus.
Freshly picked asparagus being processed in Levin at Tendertip Asparagus..
Freshly picked asparagus being exported to Japan by Tendertip Asparagus in Levin
Food photography of Minted Summer Pasta and Potatoes by Ruth Pretty.
"Can you eat the food you photograph?" or "what are all the tricks to make the food look so good?" are the two questions I am most often asked about as a food photographer. Surprise registers when I say pretty much the only thing used is a little olive oil .
The only time I can remember a trick is when we put raw new potatoes in a salad, as with cooked potatoes the skins slide off . I would say lighting, fresh ingredients and props are the keys to a strong food photograph however some food photographers try other approaches - check this video out