Asparagus is a vegetable that is very good for our bodies, and it is also straightforward to cook. And in this article, I will instruct you how to cook asparagus like a chef. I hope these are the asparagus recipes you’re looking for on google.
1. How To Select Good Asparagus?
Select asparagus spears that are firm and not limp. Gently squeeze the spears near the bottom to check for any sponginess or softness, which could indicate that they are not fresh.
The asparagus tips should be tightly closed and compact. Avoid spears with open or flowering tips, as they may be past their prime.
Look for asparagus with vibrant green color. The spears should not have any yellowing or browning, as this can indicate aging or spoilage.
Take a close look at the bottom ends of the asparagus spears. They should be freshly cut and not dried out. Dry or woody ends can affect the tenderness and quality of the asparagus.
2. 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.
3. How To Cook Asparagus on Stove
3.1. 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
3.2. 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.
3.3. How To Saute Asparagus
Ingredients
- 12 fresh spears of asparagus ( prepared )
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 1/2 cup of grated cheese
Instructions
Step 1: First, cut the prepared asparagus into long pieces about 3 -inch
Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until the oil begins to smoke slightly, add minced garlic and stir well.
Step 3: Next, add asparagus, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper powder then stir well and cook for 6 – 7 minutes for thick asparagus and 4 – 5 minutes for thin asparagus.
Step 4: Transfer cooked asparagus to a plate and sprinkle grated cheese over them. Serve
4. How To Cook Asparagus in Oven
Ingredients
- 12 fresh spears of asparagus ( prepared )
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper powder
Instructions
Step 1: In a bowl, mix olive oil along with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper powder. Pour it on prepared asparagus and massage lightly to coat all the asparagus spears nicely.
Step 2: Roast the butter-covered asparagus for 10-12 minutes in a preheated oven (425 degrees F). The secret to keeping it from becoming mushy is not to roast it too long.
Step 3: Drizzle the cheese on the roasted asparagus and broil for a minute or two until the cheese melts.
Serve hot! For better taste, you can sprinkle some fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar on the asparagus and enjoy
5. How To Cook Asparagus in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 12 fresh spears of asparagus ( prepared )
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400 ° F
Step 2: Put prepared asparagus spears in a mixing bowl. Drizzle the olive oil, add the crushed garlic, and sprinkle the salt & pepper on the asparagus then mix well.
Step 3: Spread out seasoned asparagus in an air fryer basket. In a single layer, without overlapping.
Step 4: Air fry asparagus for 8 minutes. After the first 4 minutes, press pause and shake the basket. Then continue cooking until done
Step 5: Remove asparagus from the air fryer basket and serve.
6. How To Cook Asparagus on Grill
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of asparagus ( prepared )
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you have a gas grill, preheat it with the lid closed for about 10 minutes. If you’re using a charcoal grill, light the charcoal and let it burn until the coals are covered with white ash.
Place the prepared asparagus in a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus, and season with salt and pepper. Toss the asparagus gently to ensure each spear is coated evenly.
Once the grill is hot, lay the asparagus spears across the grates horizontally to prevent them from falling through. You can also use a grilling basket or aluminum foil to create a makeshift tray for the asparagus.
Grill the asparagus for about 3-5 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are tender and slightly charred. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Once the asparagus is cooked, remove them from the grill and transfer them to a serving platter. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the grilled asparagus for added brightness, if desired.
Serve the grilled asparagus as a side dish or as part of a larger meal.
7. What To Serve With Asparagus?
Grilled or roasted chicken breast: Asparagus pairs well with grilled or roasted chicken breast, as the savory flavor of the chicken complements the mild taste of asparagus.
Fish: Grilled or baked fish, such as salmon or tilapia, is a great option to serve with asparagus. The delicate flavor of the fish complements the asparagus without overpowering it.
Pasta: Asparagus can be added to pasta dishes, such as fettuccine Alfredo or pesto pasta, for an extra boost of nutrition and flavor.
Salad: Asparagus can be used as a key ingredient in a salad, such as a mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette dressing.
Quinoa or rice: Pairing asparagus with quinoa or rice can create a satisfying and healthy meal. You can add other vegetables or protein sources for extra flavor and nutrition.
Above is the necessary information on cooking asparagus in 6 different ways that we share with you; I hope now you know how to cook asparagus properly after reading this article. Good luck!
