Wonderful Pickled Asparagus Recipes

ASPARAGUS LASAGNA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, and cut noodles in half crosswise.
• Melt margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic just until fragrant. Stir in the flour until no lumps remain. Gradually mix in milk, and season with thyme. Simmer sauce gently until thick. Remove from heat.
• Grease a 9x9 inch glass baking dish. Layer noodles, sauce, asparagus, ham, and mozzarella cheese in three layers, each starting with noodles, and ending with shredded cheese on the top.
• Cover the dish, and cook in the microwave on HIGH for 9 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Time may vary depending on the oven used. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

QUICK REFRIGERATOR SPICY ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• Wash two large size mason jars and lids in hot soapy water, rinse and dry well.
• Cut the woody ends off the asparagus spears, making sure they aren't taller than the jar.
• Place two cloves of garlic, a large handful of fresh dill, half a tablespoon (1 ½ teaspoons) of coriander seeds, whole peppercorns, and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes into each jar.
• In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the sugar, kosher salt, and white vinegar together. Whisk vigorously until the sugar and salt dissolve.
• Add the water to the mixture. Set aside.
• In the two clean mason jars, tightly pack the asparagus spears evenly into each jar.
• Pour the brine mixture over the asparagus spears.
• Tap the jars on the counter to release any air bubbles and top off the jar with extra water if any asparagus spears are exposed.
• Place the lids on the jars and screw on the rings until they are tight.
• Leave the jars in the fridge for 2 days before tasting. Enjoy!

SPICY PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Prepare your jars by washing them in warm, soapy water or run them through the dishwasher. Submerge them in hot simmering water until ready to use. Always use new snap lids and wash them also in warm, soapy water. Leave them in a bowl of hot water until ready to use. In a large saucepan add in the vinegar, water, and salt and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve the salt. In each jar add in the dill heads, garlic, peppercorns, mustard seed, coriander seed, dill seed and red pepper flakes. Pack in asparagus as tightly as possible. Pour in hot brine and leave 1/2" headspace. Remove any bubbles carefully with a knife. Wipe top and place lid and screw the band on fingertip tight only. Process in a water bath for 10 min. or as per altitude. Let jars cool on a towel-lined countertop. Make sure all jars have sealed, you will hear them popping while the cool. If any don't seal then refrigerate and eat within a month's time.

PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim the bottom of the asparagus so they fit upright in two 24-ounce (750 ml) containers or jars, with the asparagus tips at least 1/2 inch (1 cm) below the lid. Divvy the asparagus and dill between the jars.☞TESTER TIP: If you need to use shorter jars and have to trim your asparagus significantly in order to fit, add your extra trimmings to a third jar along with carrots and fennel for an easy pickle. Note that you will need to make extra brine if you do this.
• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine vinegar, garlic, salt, sugar, peppercorns, mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, allspice, and coriander seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar. Remove from heat and let stand until brine is lukewarm, about 20 minutes.
• Pour the brine over the asparagus. Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld. Keep refrigerated for up to 1 month.☞TESTER TIP: If you don't have quite enough brine to cover the asparagus, you can top off each jar with up to 1/2 cup of boiled water.

PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim the cut end of the asparagus spears, and cut them into 3 inch lengths. Place them in a large bowl with 1/3 cup salt, and cover with water. Let stand for 2 hours. Drain and rinse under cool water, and pat dry.
• Sterilize two pint size wide mouth jars in simmering water for 5 minutes.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, mustard seed, dill seed and onion rings. Bring to a boil, and boil for one minute.
• Pack the asparagus spears, tips up, in the hot jars leaving 1/2 of space from the rim. Tuck one dill sprig into each jar, and sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Pour hot pickling liquid into the jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth, and seal with lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature. Check seals when cool by pressing the center of the lid. It should not move. Label and date; store in a cool dark place. If any jars have not sealed properly, refrigerate and eat within two weeks.

WONDERFUL PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place several slices of onion in the bottom of two 1-quart jars.
• Trim the asparagus to fit in the jars; pack them in with the cut-end facing down.
• Place the pepper strips in between asparagus.
• Combine the remaining ingredients in a saucepan, and boil over moderate heat for 10 minutes.
• Pour into the jars, leaving 1/2-inch head space.
• Seal the jars according to the manufacturer's directions; process for 20 minutes in boiling water bath.

ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat Oven to 400˚F with the rack in the center. Butter a 9x13 casserole dish. Arrange trimmed asparagus in prepared casserole dish, packing it down for a fairly flat and even surface.
• Place a saucepan over medium heat. Melt in 3 Tbsp butter then add 2 1/2 Tbsp flour and whisk constantly for 3 minutes or until butter just starts to turn golden in color. Whisk in 2 cups half and half, 2 tsp garlic salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Whisk until sauce just starts to thicken then remove from heat. Sprinkle in 1/2 cup parmesan and whisk until cheese is melted and incorporated.
• Pour sauce evenly over the asparagus, leaving about 1" space on the long sides of the casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 400˚F for 15-18 minutes (depending on thickness of asparagus), or until asparagus reaches desired tenderness.
• While the casserole is baking, make the topping: in a small mixing bowl, melt 1 Tbsp butter. Mix in 1/2 cup bread crumbs, stirring until evenly moistened, then stir in 1/2 cup remaining parmesan cheese. Halfway through baking, sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the casserole then return it to the oven to finish baking.
• When asparagus has reached desired doneness, set oven to broil for 2-3 minutes or until bread crumbs are golden brown. Remove from oven and serve.

PICKLED CHIVE BLOSSOMS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Add asparagus, to boiling water and cook uncovered until barely tender (5 to 7) minutes.
• Drain.
• Pack flowers with vegetables in a glass container that has a lid.
• Combine white wine, water and sugar or honey in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Pour hot liquid over asparagus and chive blossoms to cover them.
• Cover the jar and shake to release any trapped bubbles.
• Chill at least overnight and up to 2 weeks.