Asparagus is a vegetable that is very good for our bodies, and it is also straightforward to cook. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook asparagus on a stove (sauteed, boiled, and steamed) like a pro chef. I hope these are the asparagus recipes you’re looking for online.
1. How To Prepare Asparagus?
To peel asparagus, it would help if you only were paring the outer part of 1/3 of the asparagus stem from the base upwards. If you intend to use them, the tip of the asparagus is very fresh young, and soft, so you don’t need to peel it.
Besides, you should only get from the beginning of the asparagus to the smooth stem; from the hard stem to the root of the asparagus, you should remove it. To find out where the complex parts of asparagus begin, Pickup asparagus and bend them.
To wash asparagus, you need to rinse asparagus under running water to clean the sand in the gaps at the beginning of the asparagus, then line the asparagus up in a baking tray without overlapping them.
2. How To Cook Asparagus on Stove
2.1. How To Saute Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) asparagus spears, tough ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Step 2: Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Add the trimmed asparagus spears to the pan, arranging them in a single layer. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 4: Cook the asparagus for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes tender-crisp. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears. They should still have a slight crunch.
Step 5: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the asparagus and cook for an additional minute or until the cheese melts and coats the asparagus.
Step 6: Transfer the sautéed asparagus to a serving dish. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the asparagus if desired for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately as a side dish.
This sautéed asparagus with garlic and Parmesan recipe is a quick and delicious way to enjoy the crisp and vibrant flavors of asparagus. It pairs well with various main dishes and adds a touch of elegance to any meal. Enjoy!
2.2. How To Boil Asparagus
Ingredients
- 12 fresh spears of asparagus ( prepared )
- 2 – 3 cups of water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 bowl of ice water
Instructions
Step 1: Pour an amount of water about 3 cm high into the pot then cook on medium heat until the water boils.
Step 2: Add the prepared asparagus and 1/2 tsp salt then boil for 3 minutes. Note don’t boil your asparagus for too long
Step 3: Remove the asparagus from the pot, and immediately put them in the bowl of ice water. Soaking in ice will help the asparagus crunch and keep its beautiful green color
The boiled asparagus can be served immediately as a side dish or used in various recipes. You can season it with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil, or get creative by adding lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, or a sprinkle of herbs.
2.3. How To Steam Asparagus
Ingredients
- 12 fresh spears of asparagus ( prepared )
- 2 – 3 cups of water
- A steamer basket
Instructions
Step 1: Spread the prepared asparagus into the steamer basket. Arrange asparagus evenly, not too thick or too sparse to make sure they are cooked evenly.
Step 2: Pour an amount of water about 3 cm high into the steamer pot then cook on medium heat until the water boils.
Step 3: Place the steamer basket into and steam for about 5-6 minutes depending on the size of your asparagus. Note, you should not let the water flood the steamer basket because it can cause asparagus to be overcooked.
After the asparagus is cooked, you transfer them to a plate and serve it with your favorite dipping sauce.
Above is the necessary information on cooking asparagus on stovetop that I share with you; I hope now you know how to boil, steam and sautee asparagus properly after reading this article. Good luck!