Good Asparagus Recipes

HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS (ROASTED, GRILLED, OR BLANCHED!)

Steps:

• Place in a large bowl or clean sink filled with cold water. Drop in the asparagus and swish it around to remove any errant dirt. Discard the woody ends of the asparagus by grasping the end of the spear with one hand and just above the middle with the other hand, then bend until it snaps in half. Discard the woody end.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry asparagus by rolling around on a kitchen towel. Place asparagus in large a bowl and drizzle with olive oil - about 1 tablespoon per pound of asparagus. Add a couple of pinches of salt and toss until coated. Spread the asparagus on a large rimmed sheet pan - a single layer is best! Bake, rolling the asparagus once or twice, until golden brown and tender, 15-20 minutes (check after 10 minutes if your asparagus is very thin). Add additional salt to taste. Serve.
• Preheat grill on medium-high, about 450 degrees. Place asparagus in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil - about 1 tablespoon per 1 pound of asparagus. Add a pinch of salt and toss until coated. Lay spears on the grill. Close grill for a couple of minutes then open and turn asparagus with tongs. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, turning once or twice more, until the asparagus is tender and charred in spots. Remove from grill and serve, adding more salt if desired.
• Fill a large pot about halfway with water. Fill a large bowl with cold water and a few ice cubes, then set aside. Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the asparagus. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until just tender. Using tongs, transfer asparagus to the bowl of ice water. Dunk a few times then remove from water and finish however you like - marinate in , saute in butter or olive oil, add a pinch of salt ... your choice!

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Lay the asparagus on a long double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat. Spread the spears into a single layer. Fold the edges of the foil to make a tray. Roast in the oven for 5 minutes. Carefully toss the spears with tongs and roast just until tender and tips begin to brown, about 5 minutes more. Sprinkle with the zest, salt, nutmeg, and pepper, to taste, and toss to evenly distribute. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.

OVEN-ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat the spears, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Arrange the asparagus onto a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Bake in the preheated oven until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. Sprinkle with lemon juice just before serving.

PAN-FRIED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Stir in the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Cook garlic in butter for a minute, but do not brown.
• Add asparagus, and cook for 10 minutes, turning asparagus to ensure even cooking.

SAUTEED GARLIC ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Melt the butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and asparagus spears; cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until asparagus is tender. If you like your asparagus well done, reduce heat and cook an additional 10 minutes.

HOW TO MAKE GOOD ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• 1. First, NEVER use canned or frozen asparagus; only fresh tastes good.
• 2. Second, BREAK off woody tips of asparagus by holding the stalks in the middle with one hand and at the cut end with the other hand, and bend until the stalk snaps. Do these one at a time for best results.
• 3. Third, FIND a microwave dish that fits the asparagus close to perfectly, so you don't have to bend the stalks. Add 3 tablespoons water and COVER the dish.
• 4. MICROWAVE on high power 3 to 4 minutes, depending on how much asparagus you have and how hot your microwave oven cooks. Recommended times are 4 minutes for up to 750 watt ovens and 3 minutes for ovens 1000 watts or greater.
• 5. SERVE immediately with honey-mustard dressing (Marzetti's is best). REMEMBER asparagus is a finger food; just pick It up, dip it in the dressing, and eat it. DELICIOUS!

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Pour or spritz the water onto 4 paper towels. Spread out the paper towels and lay the asparagus on top of the dampened towels. Sprinkle with the salt. Roll up the asparagus in the dampened towels. Lay the bundle, seam side down, in the microwave. Microwave on high until the asparagus is just crisp tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the microwave using tongs and carefully unwrap. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.