Basic Boiled Asparagus Recipes

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Pour about 1-inch of water into a large saucepan, and set up a collapsible steamer inside. Bring the water to boil, lay the asparagus in the steamer, cover, and steam until crisp-tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a heated serving dish, drizzle with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with lemon and serve immediately.
• Cook's Note: You may finish the asparagus with the grated zest of a small lemon, a tablespoon of unsalted butter, and a teaspoon of minced flat-leaf parsley leaves, instead of the oil.
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BLANCHED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Prepare 1 1/2 pounds medium-thick asparagus (see Rinse and Snap). Have a large bowl of ice water ready. In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Season with 2 tablespoons coarse salt, and add asparagus; boil until tender, 3 to 4 minutes (depending on thickness).
• Remove with tongs, or drain in a colander, and immediately transfer to ice water for 1 minute to stop the cooking process. Drain; refrigerate until completely chilled.

BOILED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring 1 inch salted water to a boil in a large skillet. Add asparagus in one layer. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes for medium and 7 minutes for jumbo. Drain, and transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and top with a pat of butter.

SIMPLE, NOT MUSHY, ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Rinse and trim asparagus.
• Lay the spears, in the same direction, in a large frying pan.
• Add an inch or two of water and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
• Reduce temperature and simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove from pan and top with butter and salt.

BROILED ASPARAGUS PARMESAN

Steps:

• Place asparagus and water in 8x8 inch microwave-safe dish and cover.
• Heat in microwave on high until tender, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Line a baking sheet with foil.
• Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
• Remove asparagus from dish and place in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Squeeze lemon wedge into melted butter and drizzle over asparagus.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and ground white pepper over asparagus.
• Place under broiler until lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

SIMPLE ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Lay asparagus spears out on a heavy sheet pan. Drizzle olive oil over the spears and sprinkle salt and pepper. Place in a 400 degree oven for fifteen minutes.

BASIC ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap the ends off the asparagus where they break naturally. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the lower two-thirds of the stalk.
• Bring an inch of salted water to a boil in a skillet. Put the asparagus in a single layer in the skillet, cover and cook just until the asparagus turn bright green, about three minutes. Alternatively, the asparagus can be steamed in a steamer.
• Drain the asparagus, chill them under cold running water, drain, then dry on paper towels.

ASPARAGUS SOLDIERS WITH A SOFT-BOILED EGG

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan, add the breadcrumbs, then fry until crisp and golden. Season with the spices and flaky sea salt, then leave to cool. Cook the asparagus in a large pan of boiling salted water for 3-5 mins until tender. At the same time, boil the eggs for 3-4 mins. Put each egg in an egg cup on a plate. Drain the asparagus and divide between plates. Scatter over the crumbs and serve.

BASIC BOILED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring about 6 quarts of water to a rapid boil in a covered pot large enough to hold the asparagus. Cut the bottom section- usually about 1 to 2 inches off the asparagus stalks with a sharp knife. Peel the asparagus by laying them flat, one at a time, on a cutting board. If the asparagus are thinner than 1/2-inch, use a vegetable peeler and peel the asparagus starting at the base of the tip and peeling them all the way down to the base, eliminating the fibrous peel and revealing the pale green flesh. If the asparagus are very thick or woody, use a paring knife and start peeling from the base. When ready to cook, toss the salt into the boiling water and carefully lower in the asparagus. Turn the heat to low and simmer the asparagus, uncovered, until the spears are easily penetrated with a knife, usually after about 5 minutes but from 1 minute for very thin asparagus to 12 minutes for the very thickest. If serving cold asparagus, plunge the hot cooked asparagus into ice water or rinse under cold water in a colander. Pat dry.