How do I prepare asparagus?

Answer 1

Stovetop:
Saucepan or Steamer: Cook fresh asparagus in a small amount of boiling water until tender. Fresh asparagus will be crisp-tender in 5 to 8 minutes.

Frying Pan:
Place a strip of folded aluminum on the bottom and up the sides of the pan, extending over the edges. Bring water to a boil; add asparagus spears and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Use foil strips to gently lift the spears to a serving dish.


Double Boiler or Percolator:
To steam asparagus in an upright position, fasten the stalks into a bundle using a band of foil or string. Stand the stalks upright in the double boiler or percolator with the tips extending an inch or more above the boiling, salted water. (A glass cooking vessel works best.) Cover and cook until tender, 5 to 8 minutes.
Stir-Fry:
Cut spears diagonally in 1/2 inch pieces, leaving tips whole. Stir-fry pieces in butter or hot oil, in a skillet or wok at medium high heat. Stir constantly until tender-crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.

Microwave:
Fresh Asparagus:
Microwave fresh asparagus by placing one pound in a microwavable baking dish or serving bowl. If cooking whole spears, arrange with tips in center. Add about 1/4 cup water and cover tightly. Microwave at 100% power for 4 to 7 minutes for spears, 3 to 5 minutes for cuts and tips. Stir or turn halfway through cooking time.

Frozen Asparagus:
Microwave frozen asparagus in a covered microwavable baking dish with 2 Tablespoons of water. Cook at 100% power for 4 to 7 minutes, stirring or rearranging once.

Canned Asparagus:
Drain all but 1 Tablespoon of liquid, and microwave at 100% power for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking time.



http://www.asparagus.org/maab/recipes/Asparagus05Brochure.pdf

Answer 2

One of the "rules" about preparing asparagus is being sure NOT to overcook it. First, wash your asparagus thoroughly. Then remove the tough bottom part by snapping it off. The tough part comes off naturally if you gently snap it off. Then, you can prepare the asparagus one of two ways. Steam it in a vegetable steamer until just tender and dress with lemon and extra virgin olive oil. Or you can stir-fry it nicely in some salad oil and add some oyster-flavored sauce for an Oriental twist.

Answer 3

Wash and trim the hard end off a bit. They can be microwaved with a couple of tablespoons of water for about 7 minutes. You can add some butter or margarine during the last two minutes. I have a vegetable steamer which is fun but they take a bit longer to cook in that, more like a half hour. They come out really tasty and moist in that though. It is a nice electric appliance to have around the house if you like to cook a lot of fresh vegetables though. To season after cooking, sprinkle some fresh parmessan cheese over them or melt any kind of your favorite cheese over them. You can cook frozen asparagus for about the same time.

Answer 4

break the woody ends off by holding it gently on both ends & bending. It will break at the right point.
Steam in an asparagus steamer, or even in a small amount of water in a flat pan. Only till they are bright green & still a little crisp.
Served with lemon, they are great! I could eat a pound of them!

Answer 5

it is what I do... Boil the asparagus in salted water for very couple of minutes and then drain. warmth up a frying pan with really butter and upload the asparagus, season with very few salt & pepper. prepare dinner for about 5 minutes (reckoning on the thickness). even as executed, shred some sparkling parmasean cheese over correct. Or really of the cheese, you could squeeze some lemon over them.

Answer 6

My favorite way is to broil it...it's a snap. Wash your boys in cold water and remove the tough bottoms (looks like you have plenty of coverage here on how to do that). In a pyrex dish (or whatever dish you would broil in), line your boys up in a single layer. Drizzle some EVOO and get them all covered. Salt 'em up and broil for about 8 minutes - pull them out and do a little grated lemon and parmesan cheese and stick 'em back in for a minute and - waaa laaa!

Answer 7

If you have a grill, just toss asparagus with a bit of sea salt and EVOO, then grill until still crispy. YUM! You can also do it like that using your broiler in your oven.
Good luck.

Answer 8

put asparagus in a gallon size ziploc w/ a little bit of olive oil, salt / pepper/ garlic salt/ and a little crushed red pepper.....make sure asparagus is well (evenly ) coated then cook on grill or broil.... mmmmm..good

Answer 9

Take about the bottom 1/2 - 3/4 inch off, toss in garlic and olive oil, then grill on a HOT grill for about 3 min. salt and pepper to taste, and serve!!!

Answer 10

Bend to break off the not so tender parts, steam for 3 - 4 minutes and season to taste, eat and enjoy. I dunk in ice bath if not eating right away and keep in the fridge, kids gobble it up out of the fridge with a touch of ranch. SOOO Good.