What's the best way to prepare Asparagus?

Question

Should I add salt and water or just steam them.
Thanks in advance.

Green i haven't seen white.
Do they taste different?

Answer 1

I like to roast asparagus in a 400 degree oven with olive oil, salt and pepper until just tender and begining to golden.

Answer 2

Steaming them is fine,

A couple alternatives are to drizzle some extra virgin olive oil and a bit of salt on the asparagus and then either grill it on a bbq for about 5 minutes or cook it in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Asparagus tastes great but it tastes even better grilled.

Answer 3

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

1/4 lb. asparagus
1/2 tbsp. butter
Salt to taste

Prepare a steamer with boiling water.

Add asparagus; cover and steam for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
Toss with butter and season to taste.

Also good for broccoli or cauliflower.

Answer 4

I like to put water about 1" deep in a large skillet. I bring that to a boil, add my asparagus in a single layer, making sure all are covered with water and cook them until their color gets brighter. They are done then. I season them with butter and if you use salt, just a little of that. Doesn't take long at all to do.

Answer 5

Blanche them for a just a mintue, and then saute them in a pan with garlic, finely mnced shallots and olive oil. Salt & Pepper to taste.

Answer 6

I steam for one minute and finish in a saute pan w/butter and add a little salt at the start to retain the green colour.Good luck!!!

Answer 7

I like to parboil them (boil them in a small amount of water, just for a few minutes, not until they're floppy) then saute in butter, or olive oil, and salt. You can add other seasonings like garlic that way, too.

Answer 8

Asparagus Wrapped in Serrano Ham
Servings: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 shallot, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 stalks each white and green asparagus, ends trimmed (24 total)
6 thin slices serrano ham (or prosciutto), each cut into 4 strips
1 cup frisée
1 cup mixed greens
1/2 pound each seedless green and red grapes, halved
1/4 cup sliced roasted almonds

Preparation:
Whisk oil, vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper in a bowl. Set aside. Cook asparagus in simmering water until soft but still crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain. Wrap a strip of ham around each asparagus stalk. Toss frisée, greens and grapes with dressing in a bowl, then transfer to a platter; top with asparagus. Garnish with almonds.

Asparagus Gratin
Servings: Makes 6 side-dish servings.

Ingredients:
2 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1 1/2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots (about 2 large)
4 slices firm white sandwich bread, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup pine nuts (1 1/4 oz)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese

Preparation:
Butter a 2- to 2 1/2-quart shallow ceramic flameproof baking dish.

Cook asparagus in a 5- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain in a colander, then transfer to baking dish and keep warm, tightly covered with foil.

Meanwhile, heat oil and butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until foam subsides, then cook shallots, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 3 minutes. Add bread and pine nuts and cook, stirring, until browned in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add pepper, 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, tossing to combine.

Preheat broiler.

Toss warm asparagus with mascarpone, remaining 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt until combined well.

Sprinkle bread-crumb mixture evenly over asparagus. Broil 5 to 7 inches from heat until topping is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

hope these help. enjoy.

Answer 9

Green or white asparagus?

Answer 10

Steam them and use coarse sea salt to taste.