Asparagus is a vegetable delicacy packed with nutrients of vitamin K and fiber, which are essential for our health. When properly cooked, usually, the fiber tissue is broken down, making it easier to chew the asparagus. That is why there are many simple asparagus recipes.
Maybe some of us don’t know how asparagus looks? It is green, crisp, tender, and has straight stalks with a tiny woody base. However, there are other colors – white or purple; it’s just that the green one is the most common. When eaten raw, it is delicious and healthful. Better still, when you cook, its nutrients and rich flavors are deeply enriched.
There are a variety of dishes that can be combined with asparagus to make it more delicious. Try out the following asparagus recipes to a perfect, salivating meal.
Preparation of Asparagus
Peeling asparagus is optional, especially to thin asparagus – you may choose to or not peel. However, to the thick ones, peeling the outer skin becomes necessary to prevent the fibers from sticking in between the teeth. Besides, the peeled stems cook at a similar rate as tender tips, which would prepare faster compared to an unpeeled stem.
For white asparagus, it’s also better to peel the outer skin as it’s usually bitter. Generally, the trimmed parts are best for making soups. The woody parts discarded get since they are not very tasty when cooked, though, some still use them to make stocks.
Facts of Asparagus
- Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable. It is packed with vitamin C, potassium, fiber and has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- Asparagus is a perennial spring plant that may be productive for 15 years or so. Usually, it should not undergo harvesting for its first couple of seasons. From its seed form to harvest season, it takes three years.
- Mostly, asparagus is known to be green. However, there are white and purple ones. White asparagus is grown under the ground, a depth of 9 inches. An aspect of science, lack of sunlight prevents the development of chlorophyll, and that is why it remains white. On the other hand, purple asparagus has its violet color from compounds called anthocyanins, an essential type of antioxidant.
- There are thick and thin asparagus. The best asparagus has its spears with its top tightly closed while the bottom is moist. Also, check for freshness by smelling – it shouldn’t have a musty scent. When cooking, thicker spears are most preferred to thinner ones, since they don’t overcook easily. Thin ones are best in making puree since they are most tender.
- Before storing asparagus in the fridge, trim the stalk ends and stand them in a jar or cup of water (1 inch) with the spears up.
- You can eat asparagus raw, steamed, grilled, roasted, or baked, etc. the outcome of the results is appealing but depending on an individual.
Pan Lemon Asparagus Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Yield: 3 servings
Ingredients
- Two bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed, washed and cut in half
- 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped and crushed
- Water
- Salt to taste
- Pepper
- One lemon, chopped in half and squeezed
Directions
- Wash the asparagus and prepare by trimming its woodier ends.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then add garlic clove, asparagus, and a little water.
- Cook until the water nears to evaporate.
- Position the asparagus spears in an even layer using tongs, sprinkle a little salt, and cover with a lid. Cook for about 4 minutes or until the asparagus becomes crisp and bright green.
- Uncover the pan, then add salt and pepper, stir lightly and cook until asparagus is soft and moderately browned.
- Add the lemon juice and mix gently.
- Serve and enjoy.
Grilled Asparagus Recipe
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds asparagus, thick and trimmed
- Three tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper
Directions
- Preheat the grill to high heat.
- Wash and prepare the asparagus by trimming off the more robust ends. Then brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper while on a large baking tray.
- Clean and lightly brush oil to the grill grates.
- Remove the asparagus from the tray and place them on the grill.
- Cook until reasonably charred, occasionally turning, 4-8 minutes.
- Remove them and serve on a plate.
Sautéed Asparagus Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Yield: 3-5 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound of asparagus, washed and trimmed
- Two tablespoons cooking oil
- One medium shallot, diced
- Two garlic cloves, diced
- Salt
- Pepper
Directions
- In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat for 4-5 minutes.
- Add the shallots then a little salt.
- Cook until they start to soften for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the diced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add your asparagus together with salt and pepper.
- Stir and cook until it becomes bright green, soft, and crispy for about 2-4 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, serve, and enjoy.
In conclusion
Asparagus, one of the best vegetables you could ever eat, as high quantities of vitamin C and other numerous antioxidants. If you can make it to eat it thrice a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner, why not?
Green asparagus is sweet, but the purple one could taste even much better. It’s delicious when raw, with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.
There are many great asparagus recipes that you could love. For instance, when sautéing asparagus, you could not only use the usual ingredients i.e., garlic but also sandwich it in a dish like bacon and cheese omelet.
When preparing an excellent dish in the kitchen i.e., rice, with some vegetables, add asparagus to the list; it always adds a nice extra touch. The overall appearance on a plate looks pretty fabulous, and the taste is divine. Furthermore, not to forget, it’s a nutritious meal.
