As soon as you get home, snip off this constrictive belt! One of the most frequently asked questions is how long to cook asparagus. Snap off stalk ends as far down as they will easily break when gently bent, or cut off the tough white portion. we have over 500 asparagus recipes on our site alone! Here is a simple, step-by-step photos tutorial on how to prep asparagus before cooking. But unless they're very spiky, you can leave them on. Cooking time will depend on thickness of asparagus, about 10 minutes for medium-thick asparagus. In mild climates, the root crowns of asparagus need no special winter care, but in cooler regions, winterizing the asparagus bed is a must. This video for Simply Steamed Asparagus shows you how to steam whole asparagus using a collapsible steam basket: Asparagus is cooked very quickly in boiling water until it's fully or partially cooked. Allrecipes is part of the Meredith Food Group. Asparagus is cooked in oil or butter in a skillet, as in this video for Sautéed Garlic Asparagus. If you're not serving the asparagus immediately, plunge it into a pan of ice water to halt the cooking. If your stalks are large, peel them to reduce the risk of a stringy texture. To get rid of it, fill a bowl with cold water and soak the asparagus for a few minutes, then rinse off. You can also scrape off the scales with a knife. Top with poached eggs or zesty capers and lemon. The video for Grilled Asian Asparagus is all cued up for you: Before you try any of the methods for cooking asparagus, you'll want to trim up the asparagus stalks. It can easily bruise your vegetable and can cause an unpleasant rubbery texture. Allow plenty of extra spears for testing as you cook. And what’s up with white asparagus? Whether you’re steaming or roasting, cook it until it’s just tender. Asparagus is inextricably tied with spring, as it is the first vegetable to emerge in the garden (usually around the time daffodils are blooming), and its harvest season is over by late spring or early summer. Cook for 1-2 mins or until tender. The slender green vegetable stands like a flag against the pale beige of winter potatoes, rutabagas, and squash. For any asparagus, you can just cut the bottom inch or so off the asparagus. It was long believed that thinner stems signified a sweeter and more tender asparagus, but we now understand that thicker asparagus come from older asparagus … Find some of our favorite asparagus recipes here. The reheating will finish cooking the spears. These will cook quite quickly, so keep a close eye on them. Let the asparagus blanch for 2 to 5 minutes depending on the thickness of the spears. Fine grit can lurk in asparagus tips. Some recipes call for partially cooking — or blanching – the asparagus, icing it, then finishing the cooking later. Snap off the stalk end as far down as it will easily break. © Copyright 2020, 20 Things to Cook This Month That Have Nothing to Do With Thanksgiving, 15 Vegan Muffin Recipes for Easy Breakfasts, 15 Comfort Food Dinners That Start With Creamy Alfredo Sauce, 2-Ingredient Snacks That Are Too Easy Not to Make, Use Your Stale Bread in These Savory Bread Puddings, 13 Spiked Apple Cider Cocktails to Celebrate the Season, 15 Comfort Food Casseroles Inspired by World Cuisines, 12 Recipes to Turn Extra Chicken into Healthy Main Dish Salads, 15 Ground Beef Soup Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners, Ground Turkey Slow Cooker Recipes for Easy Weeknight Meals, 11 Top Chicken Casseroles That Lean to the Healthy Side, 12 Classic Italian Recipes Made Easy in the Instant Pot, Farfalle with Asparagus and Smoked Salmon, Asparagus with Sliced Almonds and Parmesan Cheese. Turn the burner on, and allow the water to heat while preparing the asparagus for cooking. Once you've snapped your asparagus, you can line them up and give the ends one last neat trim, if you'd like. This, in turn, will strengthen your bed and make it more resistant to winter cold. Prepare a stockpot or saucepan for cooking the asparagus. If you know your asparagus has gone a bit bendy, or if you’re serving it to texture critics like children, do yourself a favor and chop up the asparagus. This will also preserve the bright green color. Asparagus bunches tend to come tightly belted by a rubber band. We'll show you how to cook fresh asparagus six simple ways, complete with top tips and recipes to try. Prepare a planting bed for your asparagus —simple raised beds work best — that's about 4 feet wide by removing all perennial weeds and roots, and digging in aged manure or compost. Test it frequently during cooking. What Is White Asparagus and Why Is It White? When asparagus appears in grocery stores, spring has arrived. You can use an upright steam basket (like the one shown below) or a collapsible steam basket with feet that hold it the basket above the water in a pot or large saucepan. Bottom line is, when asparagus is in season, you should eat it as often as you can. No wonder it’s so popular (we have over 500 asparagus recipes on our site alone!). Sow the asparagus seeds about a 1/2 inch deep and about 2 or 3 inches apart. Coat the asparagus with olive oil to keep them from sticking to the grill, and season with salt and pepper. Aim for slices between 1 and 2 inches long, like little asparagus batons. Unsure how much of the end to trim off? Overwintering Asparagus Plants Thin spears could take just a couple of minutes, especially if you're using a high-heat method of cooking, such as grilling, roasting, or pan-frying. If you don’t want to go one by one, you can also use a chef’s knife to slice off the tough, white-ish ends. How to prepare asparagus: white If you only obey one rule, let it be this one. Cook until just tender, testing frequently. You can still grow asparagus on heavy soil but it’s worth creating a raised bed. They naturally snap at about the point where the woody part begins. Drain the cooked asparagus and place it in a large bowl or pan of ice water. The snappy texture of asparagus can go limp rather quickly. For this method, asparagus is held in a basket to cook gently over steaming water. Remove it from the stove/grill/oven when it's almost done to your taste. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the tough area of the stalk, from the end to just below the tip. Thicker spears will take longer to cook. If it bends slightly it’s ready. It isn’t necessarily stringy (more on that in a bit). But it actually pairs well with a surprising range of ingredients. However you choose to prepare them, asparagus is done when it’s tender and still has a slight bite to it. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Regardless, make sure to eat asparagus within a few days of purchase. The first few years will require the right soil prep and a little babying to make sure the crop growing well, but after it’s established it’s a low-work culinary prize for the gourmet gardener. Add comma separated list of ingredients to exclude from recipe. Be sure to peel it, though, as the stalk’s outer layers can be bitter. Some people like to peel asparagus before cooking, and some don't. Pan-Roasted Asparagus Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat with olive oil and butter. Steaming is good for cutting calories, as it requires little or no fat. Some cooks also like to trim off the tiny leaves on the stems. No matter which type of asparagus (pencil-thin or thick stalks; green or white) or cooking method (roasting, stir-frying or blanching), your asparagus will taste much better from this additional preparation step prior to usage. Those spears will sprout ferns that will help to harvest sunlight, which will extend your asparagus season. Add comma separated list of ingredients to include in recipe. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. Tip: To check whether the asparagus is ready, you can also do a cooking test . Fatter asparagus has a more robust asparagus flavor, and a meatier texture. Place the asparagus … Prick the lower, thick end of the asparagus with a knife. You really only need salt, pepper and olive oil, but garlic always makes everything tastier. Since you won't be harvesting for three years, asparagus requires some patience and preparation. Home Recipes Ingredients Vegetables Asparagus. Planting Asparagus Crowns It will take anywhere from three to six weeks for your asparagus to germinate. Keep them in temperatures of 65 to 80 F. (18-27 C.). Let the stalk tell you. Cook for 1-2 mins, turning occasionally until tender. It can also be more fragile. To View the Next Video in this Series Please Click Here: http://www.monkeysee.com/play/16832-how-to-chop-asparagus To remove and discard the tough woody ends of the stalks before cooking, you can just cut them off with a knife. If it is already soft there, with a slight resistance, the asparagus is ready. (Never peel the tips, obviously!) To make it company worthy, toss with a little lemon juice … If you want to make a stir fry, slice the … What you'll need for Roasted Asparagus: • 1 bunch thin asparagus Drain and cool. Here's how to avoid overcooking your asparagus. How to prep it Rinse stalks well in cold water. Create a simple preparation of asparagus with Parmesan and lemon. Fresh asparagus is so easy to cook, but it's even easier to get it wrong. Fill a large pot about halfway with water. Add the asparagus and coat in the cooking fat. Place asparagus in a microwave-safe dish with 2 tablespoons of water. Don't walk away, because they're ready in a flash. Start planning for winter the previous spring. Yet, the enhanced flavor is worth it.For this method, place the asparagus in a single layer on a shallow pan and cooked in the oven at high heat. The Spruce / K. Dave How to Plant Asparagus . Harvest your asparagus as usual, but make sure you leave two or three spears growing throughout the harvest season. You can lay trimmed and seasoned asparagus spears directly across the grill grates, corral the spears in a grill basket, or grill them in a pan. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cover and cook until the asparagus are bright green and crisp, 3 minutes. You’ll be able to feel where it wants to break. Trimming asparagus is a "snap." Check if the asparagus is done by lifting a spear out of the griddle pan with a pair of tongs. Blanched Asparagus in Ice Water Bath | Photo by Meredith, | The answer depends on the size of your asparagus and your cooking method. Fresh asparagus is quick and easy to cook, and makes any meal feel just a little more special. Before grilling over coals or on a gas grill, toss the asparagus in a bowl with some oil to discourage sticking. But what's more fun is to use your hands to snap the stalks in two. Cooking asparagus on the grill is quick and easy, and adds a delicious smoky flavor to the finished dish. Just before serving, drizzle asparagus … Roast asparagus in an oiled pan in an oven preheated to 425°F, shaking the pan occasionally to dislodge any sticking spears. Try this recipe: Grilled Lemon Parmesan Asparagus. In smaller bites, any stringiness is hardly noticeable. Prepping asparagus beds for winter will protect the roots from the cold and encourage the plants to go dormant, allowing the plant to rest before its next growth phase in the spring. GRIDDLE: Place your griddle pan over a high heat and when heated through add the asparagus spears, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. That should rid the stems of any unpleasant sandiness. You can pierce the spears with a fork or skewer to gauge how cooked they are, but we prefer to just bite into one! Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. Many people prefer thin asparagus stalks for their tender texture. Add up to 1 pound of asparagus at a time to the boiling water. Place the asparagus on the sheet and drizzle with 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil, just enough to lightly … Place trimmed asparagus in a skillet large enough to hold the asparagus and enough salted water to cover by about 1/2 inch. Chicken Quinoa Bowls with Balsamic Dressing, Salmon Vegetable Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette, How to Make the Best Rugelach Cookies for the Holidays. But switching up your side dishes can bring a refreshing change to a classic comfort food dish. Overcooked asparagus is a sad, mushy experience. Cover and microwave on high for about 3 minutes. Keep the loose asparagus in a produce bag in the fridge until you use it. Wash it well. The more locally grown your asparagus, the less time it’s been in storage. Shake pan halfway through cooking time to keep spears from sticking. Asparagus is straight-up delicious with just butter or oil and salt. (We won’t tell anyone if you have to sample several spears, just to be really sure.). Cover and bring to a boil. Perennial asparagus can produce a spring or early summer crop of edible spears for 15 years or more. Sautéing Cut the asparagus or leave the spears whole. Credit: No wonder we love it when asparagus season hits and the price drops so we can eat all the asparagus we can hold. While the asparagus are still warm, toss them with 2 tablespoons (10 g) of Parmesan cheese, a teaspoon of lemon zest, and 2 … When the time is up, immediately drain the blanched asparagus and transfer it to the cold water. Remove the asparagus with tongs or a slotted spoon and place directly in the bowl of ice water. White asparagus is delicately flavored and tasty. Blanch 1 pound (0.45 kg) of asparagus for 2 minutes and drain the hot water. For one pound of asparagus, use less than 1/2 teaspoon. Meredith, Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms | Photo by CookinBug. Because asparagus is a perennial, you'll need to pick an out-of-the-way spot in the vegetable garden without competing plants. Most people won't think twice about serving basic cornbread when is on the table. We're here to help you get it right, no matter what cooking method you use. Spring! Transplant your asparagus seedlings to the asparagus bed once the seedlings have reached 6 inches in height. Asparagus is cooked very quickly in boiling water until it's … Gently bend the asparagus. Stir, and microwave for another 2 to 3 minutes until the spears are firm but tender. Toss to coat the spears, then … Asparagus spears range in size from thicker than your thumb to thinner than a pencil, so if your asparagus is on the thicker side, you might want to peel the woody stalks with a vegetable peeler. Note that roasting could brown the spears, and they won't appear to be as plump as when they're steamed or blanched. Undercooked asparagus will be difficult to chew, and overcooked asparagus will taste mushy. This video for Oven-Roasted Asparagus shows you how it's done. Given the right early attention, asparagus is an investment that can really pay off. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. To get rid of it, fill a bowl with cold water and soak … Aim for about an inch, maybe a bit more. Find some of our favorite asparagus recipes here. You can pierce it with a fork, or sample a spear. Try it topped with pesto, sprinkled with nuts, decked out in cheese, showered with herbs…you get the picture. It's very easy to cook asparagus in the oven, and the blast of oven heat caramelizes the natural sugars in the asparagus and deepens the flavor. No matter which cooking method you choose, the residual heat will continue cooking the asparagus. Choose an open, sunny site and make sure it’s well prepared with plenty of organic matter and is free of weeds. Fill a bowl with water and ice cubes and set aside. Choosing thick or thin asparagus is a matter of taste and of how you plan to prepare your asparagus. Thin asparagus is indeed delicious at its prime, tender and sweet. Place a steamer basket inside the pot, and fill the pot until the water reaches the bottom of the basket. Follow these nine tips to ensure that you make the most delicious asparagus possible. How to Winterize Asparagus Plants. Asparagus also needs space, about 4 to 5 feet for each plant. Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. If you're blanching and reheating asparagus, remove it from the boiling water when it's still a bit more crisp than you like. Plunge your asparagus spears into a pan of boiling water. If stalks are large, use a vegetable peeler to gently peel the tough area of the stalk from the end to just below the tip. How to grow asparagus Asparagus grows best in light, well-drained soil. Fine grit can lurk in asparagus tips. Get our entire collection of Asparagus Recipes. This vegetable, popular in Germany, is actually grown underground, so the spears don’t produce chlorophyll and are white. Once you properly prep your spears, try one of the two recipes below and serve alongside your favorite dinner entrée. 10-20 minutes are ideal for white asparagus and 8-15 minutes for thinner green asparagus . How to Boil Asparagus. Pencil asparagus will take much less time; thick stalks will take more. Roasting is a terrific quick and easy way to prepare asparagus that's so much tastier than steaming or blanching! This is also a great way to prep asparagus for stir-frys and salads, as you get pieces that are easy to spear with a fork and eat without a knife and fork. Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with the olive oil. Fill a large bowl with cold water and a few ice cubes, then …