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9 Ways To Prepare Asparagus

9 Ways To Prepare Asparagus

Seeing fresh asparagus arrive in grocery stores is one sure sign of spring. Looking for new ways to enjoy and prepare this vitamin-packedΒ spear-shaped vegetable, available in green, white, or purple varieties? Here are 9 flavorful, quick, and easy ways to make asparagus!

When shopping for asparagus, look forΒ firm, deeply colored bundles and avoid the limper, paler versions.Β Remember to cut off the woody, tough, bottom inch or so from asparagus spears before enjoying.

 

How To cook Asparagus

Raw

Traditionally, asparagus is usually cooked. However, thinly shaved pieces make a tasty addition to a classic caesar salad.Β Use a mandolinΒ or knife to make cuts either from the bottom of the stem, or side,Β and allow the tips to be used whole. Thinner spears are preferred for raw eating.

Steamed

Steaming may be done in a steamer, the microwave, or your stovetop by placing aΒ steamer or try using a colander, over a pan of simmering water.Β Cook asparagus just until the color has intensifiedΒ and remains firm to the touch. Blanch or shock inΒ a bowl ofΒ ice water if desired and to keep the asparagus bright green.Β 

Boiled

Bring aΒ pan of water to a low boil, add asparagus,Β and cookΒ for 2-5 minutes.Β Both steamed and boiled versions may be topped with salt, pepper, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or the Hollandaise sauce recipe listed below.

Broiled, Roasted or Grilled

Whether placing the spears on the grillΒ (4-6 minutes)Β or in aΒ shallow panΒ or on a baking sheetΒ to roastΒ (at 425Β°F for 10-14 minutes)Β or broilΒ (8-10 minutes)Β in the oven, the simpleΒ act of coating the spears in a few tablespoons of olive oil, then sprinkling with coarse Kosher salt and pepperΒ to taste, will result in highly appetizing asparagus. Cook untilΒ justΒ tender.

Want a bit more seasoning?Β Add a dash of garlic powderΒ and/orΒ onion powderΒ before cooking.Β Or cook with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top of the asparagus.

Wrapped and Roasted

Give asparagus aΒ savory blanket by wrapping a small bundle withΒ bacon, ham, prosciutto, or pancetta.Β Prepare asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roll a bundle of 4-6 spears in a slice of cured meat. Lay bundles in a slotted pan and roast in a 400Β° oven for 12-14 minutes or until the meat is crispy.

Recipes featuring Asparagus

 

Asparagus Pasta

ConsiderΒ cutting the asparagus spears to the same approximate length of the pasta shape if using a short pasta like ziti, rigatoni, orΒ cut on a long angle (also known as a bias), if pairing with a longer spaghetti or linguini noodles. Add shrimp or protein of choice.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bundle of asparagus
  • 1 package of dried pasta
  • 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • ΒΌ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 1 cup pasta water (reserve before draining the cooked pasta)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pound of medium-sized shrimp (optional)
  • 2-3 tablespoons of chopped parsley for garnish

Directions:

  1. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Add cut asparagus directly to the pasta waterΒ for the last 3 minutes of cooking time.Β Drain and set aside.
  2. Warm olive oilΒ and butterΒ over medium-heatΒ in a large frying panΒ then add garlic and shrimp. Cook until the shrimp are pink throughout. IfΒ omitting the shrimp, simply cook the garlic until translucent.
  3. CombineΒ the cooked pasta and asparagusΒ in theΒ panΒ of garlic (and shrimp)Β with salt and pepper.
  4. Stir in pasta water as needed to create a sauce. Add lemon juice and garnish with parsley if desired.

Asparagus Topped with Hollandaise

AΒ classic pairing with both eggs and asparagus is a silky, creamy Hollandaise sauce. It may take a few extra minutes but is so worth the work.

Ingredients:

  • Β½ cup of melted butter
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt

Directions:

  1. Whisk the egg yolks and lemon juiceΒ togetherΒ in a stainless steelΒ or glassΒ bowl until the mixture is thick.
  2. Place the bowl over a saucepanΒ ofΒ simmering waterΒ and continue whisking.Β Do not let the mixture get too hot or it will produce scrambled eggs.
  3. DrizzleΒ the melted butterΒ in while whisking.
  4. Once the mixture has doubled in volume and is thick, remove from heat.
  5. Whisk inΒ salt.
  6. Spoon Hollandaise goodness over asparagus orΒ veggie Benedict and enjoy!

Veggie Benedict

Swap Canadian bacon or ham for asparagus for a vegetarian option for eggs Benedict. Toast an English muffin, add a layer ofΒ roasted asparagus, a poached egg andΒ topΒ with Hollandaise sauce.

To poach an egg: Heat water in a medium-sized saucepan with 2 teaspoons of white vinegar. Stir simmering water with a spoon to create a whirlpool effect. Drop a cracked egg into the water and stir gentlyΒ until the white begins to cook. Cook for about 5 minutesΒ andΒ remove with a slotted spoon.

Crostini Asparagus Appetizer

Need a quick and easy appetizer?Β Toasted bread, a smear of soft cheese, topped withΒ asparagus cooked the way you like – call it crostini and you areΒ a wizard of whipping up tasty treats!

Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf of your favorite Italian or French bread, sliced
  • ΒΌ cup of olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Soft, spreadable cheese like goat cheeseΒ or ricotta

Directions:

  1. Toast bread
  2. Top with cheese (add herbs of your choice if desired)
  3. Finish with asparagus, sliced thinly, lengthwise (cut to the size of the toast round)
  4. Season with salt and pepperΒ and serve!

Enjoy these quick and simple asparagus recipes any time. They are just as great for weeknights as entertaining and holidays. Gather at the table again with friends and familyΒ and appreciate the time together!

About The Author

Sharon MacGregor

Writing from her desk in New York, Sharon MacGregor is a contributing reporter, freelance writer, and blogger with a passion for human interest stories as well as meals shared with friends and family. Her blog, Fed Well includes recipes with upcoming tips to prepare foods for infants and toddlers, simple and seasonal cocktails, and easy modifications to create dishes respecting dietary restrictions including dairy and gluten intolerances. She loves entertaining for the ones she loves including her new grandbabies!

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