These Are the 5 Best Ways to Prepare Asparagus
Asparagus is one highly nutritious vegetable. However, it can be tricky to prepare because of its thickness. If you want the kiddos to love eating vegetables, asparagus to be specific, then cook it in the best way possible. Don’t we all have to find ways that entice kids to eat vegetables? You’ll have to step up your culinary skills to impress the kiddos, otherwise, they want pasta and burgers Monday to Monday.
When its springtime, we parents tend to get excited because it brings with it asparagus-the wonder ingredient of many recipes. Some people, however, enjoy eating it raw, especially the tender tips. If you are the latter, then ensure you clean it thoroughly or you risk ingesting dirt into your system.
Whether you are hosting friends to a barbecue or just preparing dinner for your family, asparagus will appear somewhere. Asparagus, barbecue, and beer are a combination out of this world. Do you want to know different ways you can bring asparagus to life on your plate? Look no further, you are in the right place. Read on.
- Roasting Asparagus
If you like to have your asparagus tips a little charred while the stalks become tender and loaded with flavor in the oven, this one is for you.
Method
Preheat the oven to 220 degrees
Prepare the asparagus by washing it and cutting off the woody bottom inch. Then spread on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Drizzle a spoon of olive oil, and sprinkle salt and pepper on it. You can also add crushed garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice for more flavor.
Put in the preheated oven and roast for 10 to 15 minutes or Check if the stalks are tender and tips slightly charred, then it’s ready.
- Steaming
This is a healthy way of preparing asparagus since it preserves the water-soluble vitamins. When you boil it, the heat destroys these vitamins.
Method
Prepare your asparagus by breaking off the hard bottom inch and washing thoroughly. Depending on how big your steamer basket is, you may need to break it into shorter pieces.
Put a large pot of water on the fire to boil with a steamer basket fit on top. Alternatively, you can use a wire mesh sieve.
Place your cleaned asparagus in the steamer basket atop boiling water. Cover it and let it cook until tender which takes approximately 5 minutes.
Drain the excess water and feast away.
- Microwave
It is one of the easiest ways to prepare asparagus. It’s more like steaming because you still cover it and let it steam until tender. It is an ideal way of cooking asparagus if you don’t have a steam basket.
Method
Prepare the asparagus by washing and breaking off the hard bottom inch off.
Put it in a microwave-safe dish together with water. Cover tightly using plastic wrap.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes, then allow it to sit and continue steaming for 3 more minutes. Ensure the plastic wrap is still on.
- Blanch
It is the fastest way of preparing asparagus. All you do is dip it in boiling water briefly then transfer to cold water. This method preserves nutrients and maintains high-quality asparagus( And any other vegetable) for freezing.
Method
Prepare the asparagus by washing and cutting off the woody bottom inches off
Boil a large pot of water and add salt.
Prepare an ice bath by putting a handful of ice into a large bowl full of cold water.
Drop into the pot of boiling water for 3-4 minutes until tender and bright green. Immediately remove the asparagus from hot water into the ice bath. This stops the cooking process.
- Sauté
It involves cooking asparagus in a pan which gives you a lot of charred flavors. It is faster and builds up the flavor.
Method
Prepare asparagus by washing thoroughly and breaking off the hard bottom inch. Depending on your pan size, you might need to cut them into pieces that can fit.
Heat a splash of oil in a sauté pan over slightly high heat. When the oil is heated, add asparagus and turn it so that the oil distributes evenly. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until it’s tender and bright green.
Last Word
Much as many people enjoy asparagus, preparing it shouldn’t be difficult. Like you have seen in the methods above, they are all fast and easy. You’ll have your asparagus meal, whichever method you use in approximately 15 minutes (considering other conditions like a slow chef and others). Remember to always wash your asparagus thoroughly and cut off the woody bottom inches, first thing.