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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Snap or cut off the woody ends of the asparagus and discard. Cut off the tips and reserve. Cut the remaining stalk into ½ inch pieces. Heat the olive oil in large,

In a medium sized saucepan melt the butter. Sprinkle in the flour, and stir with a wooden spoon until well blended. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes until it is a golden brown. This thin paste is called a

To make the olive-caper cream cheese, combine softened cream cheese, vinegar, bell pepper, olives, capers and parsley in a bowl. Stir and fold in all ingredients until combined very well. It will look like "confetti cream cheese".

Prepare a bowl of acidulated water (with fresh lemon juice added). Trim the stem end of the artichokes. Peel off the outer dark green leaves until you reach the soft paler yellow leaves. With a paring knife, trim to smooth the

Snap off the woody ends at the bottom of the asparagus or slice of 1- 2 inches off the bottom of the spear. If the spears are thick, peel the lower half of the stem. Slice off the tips, then

Prepare the sauce. In a large deep saute pan, over medium high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the garlic, onion and red pepper flakes and saute for 2 - 3 minutes. Add the sausage, breaking it up into fine pieces with

In a medium, non-reactive bowl or casserole, combine the lamb, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, wine, and herbs. Marinate 8 hours or overnight. Strain the liquids from the meat and vegetables and set aside. Lift out the lamb and pat dry. Heat the

Melt the butter in a skillet or sauté pan over medium high heat. Sauté the garlic, prosciutto and red pepper flakes until the garlic is golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Pour on the wine and stir to dislodge any flavorful brown

Stand the pepper (s) on its end (stem up). Slice down each side just to the right of the core. You will have 4 clean pieces of pepper leaving the stem, core and bottom in one piece to discard. Cut

Heat a skillet or sauté pan over medium high heat. Brown the sausage in the olive oil, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.