Basic Boiled Asparagus Recipes

HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS ON THE STOVE

Steps:

• Prep the asparagus: Snap or cut off any woody bottoms of the asparagus spears. If working with medium sized or large asparagus, if you want (for a fancy presentation) you can use a vegetable peeler to peel the outside of the lower inch or two of the asparagus.
• Heat water in a large skillet: Fill a large, wide skillet with about 3/4-inch of water. Add salt. Add the cut garlic and lemon peel if using. Bring the water to a boil on high heat.
• Boil the asparagus: Add the asparagus in an even layer. If the water doesn't cover the asparagus, cover the pan. If using thin asparagus, cook only for 1 to 2 minutes. Medium asparagus, 5 minutes. Large asparagus 6 to 7 minutes.
• Rinse with cool water: Rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking and then transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil or butter to serve.

BOILED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring 1 inch salted water to a boil in a large skillet. Add asparagus in one layer. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes for medium and 7 minutes for jumbo. Drain, and transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and top with a pat of butter.

HOT ASPARAGUS WITH HOLLANDAISE

Steps:

• To clarify the butter, heat the butter in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until it melts and froths up. Simmer it for about 5 minutes, or until the froth subsides and the butter looks clear. Don't let it burn. Strain the butter through a fine-mesh strainer, a triple layer of cheesecloth, or a coffee filter. Let the butter cool for 5 minutes, if the butter is too hot it will curdle the egg yolks. Combine 3 egg yolks and 3 tablespoons butter in a bowl, and whisk off heat for 1 minute, until frothy. Place yolks on stovetop over medium-low heat and beat until thick. Meanwhile drain cooked asparagus, and toss with 1 tablespoon of butter. Remove yolks from heat, if they have not been removed already and whisk in remaining butter. Stir in the lemon juice, salt and pepper. Plate the asparagus and sauce.
• Bring about 6 quarts of water to a rapid boil in a covered pot large enough to hold the asparagus. Cut the bottom section- usually about 1 to 2 inches off the asparagus stalks with a sharp knife. Peel the asparagus by laying them flat, one at a time, on a cutting board. If the asparagus are thinner than 1/2-inch, use a vegetable peeler and peel the asparagus starting at the base of the tip and peeling them all the way down to the base, eliminating the fibrous peel and revealing the pale green flesh. If the asparagus are very thick or woody, use a paring knife and start peeling from the base. When ready to cook, toss the salt into the boiling water and carefully lower in the asparagus. Turn the heat to low and simmer the asparagus, uncovered, until the spears are easily penetrated with a knife, usually after about 5 minutes but from 1 minute for very thin asparagus to 12 minutes for the very thickest. If serving cold asparagus, plunge the hot cooked asparagus into ice water or rinse under cold water in a colander. Pat dry.

SIMPLE ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Lay asparagus spears out on a heavy sheet pan. Drizzle olive oil over the spears and sprinkle salt and pepper. Place in a 400 degree oven for fifteen minutes.

HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS (ROASTED, GRILLED, OR BLANCHED!)

Steps:

• Place in a large bowl or clean sink filled with cold water. Drop in the asparagus and swish it around to remove any errant dirt. Discard the woody ends of the asparagus by grasping the end of the spear with one hand and just above the middle with the other hand, then bend until it snaps in half. Discard the woody end.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry asparagus by rolling around on a kitchen towel. Place asparagus in large a bowl and drizzle with olive oil - about 1 tablespoon per pound of asparagus. Add a couple of pinches of salt and toss until coated. Spread the asparagus on a large rimmed sheet pan - a single layer is best! Bake, rolling the asparagus once or twice, until golden brown and tender, 15-20 minutes (check after 10 minutes if your asparagus is very thin). Add additional salt to taste. Serve.
• Preheat grill on medium-high, about 450 degrees. Place asparagus in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil - about 1 tablespoon per 1 pound of asparagus. Add a pinch of salt and toss until coated. Lay spears on the grill. Close grill for a couple of minutes then open and turn asparagus with tongs. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, turning once or twice more, until the asparagus is tender and charred in spots. Remove from grill and serve, adding more salt if desired.
• Fill a large pot about halfway with water. Fill a large bowl with cold water and a few ice cubes, then set aside. Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the asparagus. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until just tender. Using tongs, transfer asparagus to the bowl of ice water. Dunk a few times then remove from water and finish however you like - marinate in , saute in butter or olive oil, add a pinch of salt ... your choice!

SIMPLE, NOT MUSHY, ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Rinse and trim asparagus.
• Lay the spears, in the same direction, in a large frying pan.
• Add an inch or two of water and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
• Reduce temperature and simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove from pan and top with butter and salt.

BASIC ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap the ends off the asparagus where they break naturally. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the lower two-thirds of the stalk.
• Bring an inch of salted water to a boil in a skillet. Put the asparagus in a single layer in the skillet, cover and cook just until the asparagus turn bright green, about three minutes. Alternatively, the asparagus can be steamed in a steamer.
• Drain the asparagus, chill them under cold running water, drain, then dry on paper towels.

BLANCHED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Prepare 1 1/2 pounds medium-thick asparagus (see Rinse and Snap). Have a large bowl of ice water ready. In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Season with 2 tablespoons coarse salt, and add asparagus; boil until tender, 3 to 4 minutes (depending on thickness).
• Remove with tongs, or drain in a colander, and immediately transfer to ice water for 1 minute to stop the cooking process. Drain; refrigerate until completely chilled.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH BASIL CREAM

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Add half the asparagus; cook, uncovered, just until crisp-tender, 2-4 minutes. Remove and immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry. Repeat with remaining asparagus. Arrange on a serving platter., Place mayonnaise, cream, 3 tablespoons basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor; cover and process until blended. Spoon over asparagus. Garnish with pine nuts, lemon peel and remaining 1 tablespoon basil.

EASY BROILED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Set your oven to broil.
• Spread asparagus on a baking sheet.
• Shake garlic salt over asparagus, then drizzle olive oil over top.
• With your hands, roll the asparagus so each piece is covered evenly with the oil and salt. Spread asparagus on the sheet evenly so that they are not overlapping.
• Broil for about 5 minutes.