Recipes For Canned Asparagus Spears

ASPARAGUS ROLL APPETIZERS

Steps:

• 1. Flatten bread slices with a rolling pin.
• 2. Mix together blue cheese, cream cheese, and the egg.
• 3. Spread bread with cheese mixture.
• 4. Roll asparagus spears in bread slices and place on wax paper.
• 5. Freeze on wax paper until firm (about 30 minutes).
• 6. When firm, cut each roll in half.
• 7. Roll in butter.
• 8. Then roll in Parmesan cheese.
• 9. Place on a foil-lined pan and freeze until firm (about 30 minutes). Store in plastic bags until ready to use.
• 10. Bake in 375 degree oven on Pam sprayed cookie sheets for about 15-20 minutes until golden.
• 11. Serve warm.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spread out asparagus spears in a large shallow roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Shake roasting pan gently so asparagus is completely coated in oil.
• Roast in oven until spears are just tender. Cooking time will depend on thickness of asparagus, about 10 minutes for medium-thick asparagus. Pencil asparagus will take much less time; thick stalks will take more. Shake pan halfway through cooking time to keep spears from sticking. Just before serving, drizzle asparagus with olive oil and adjust seasoning.

PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim the cut end of the asparagus spears, and cut them into 3 inch lengths. Place them in a large bowl with 1/3 cup salt, and cover with water. Let stand for 2 hours. Drain and rinse under cool water, and pat dry.
• Sterilize two pint size wide mouth jars in simmering water for 5 minutes.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, mustard seed, dill seed and onion rings. Bring to a boil, and boil for one minute.
• Pack the asparagus spears, tips up, in the hot jars leaving 1/2 of space from the rim. Tuck one dill sprig into each jar, and sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Pour hot pickling liquid into the jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth, and seal with lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature. Check seals when cool by pressing the center of the lid. It should not move. Label and date; store in a cool dark place. If any jars have not sealed properly, refrigerate and eat within two weeks.

ASPARAGUS CREAM SOUP

Steps:

• Drain canned asparagus or thaw and drain frozen. If using fresh, snap off the tough ends, wash, and steam for 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Cut the tips off the asparagus spears and set aside. In a blender, combine asparagus stalks and milk or cream; cover and blend until smooth.
• In a saucepan cook the shallots in hot butter until they are tender but not brown. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the asparagus mixture all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more.
• Slowly stir about half of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks. Return all to the pan. Stir in the reserved asparagus tips. Cook and stir over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle snipped parsley on top, if desired.

SPICY ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter. Stir in the onion powder, seasoned salt, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes. Add asparagus spears, stir gently to coat. Cover and cook 5-7 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

SALTINE-CRACKER ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven 350 degrees.
• Melt 2 tbs butter in microwave-proof bowl, then stir in flour till smooth.
• Add 2 tbs liquid from canned asparagus to flour mixure; stir well.
• Stir in sour cream, grated cheese, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
• Thoroughly drain one can asparagus and arrange in bottom of ungreased 9"x2" square casserole.
• Cover evenly with half the sour cream mixture.
• Thoroughly drain second can asparagus and layer.
• Top with remaining sour cream mixture.
• Melt 3 tbs butter and mix with cracker crumbs; spread evenly.
• Bake uncovered 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.

DILLY PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Wash, drain and trim asparagus; cut into 4-1/2-in. spears. Discard ends or save for another use. Place asparagus in a large container; cover with ice water. In each of six 1-pint jars, place half of a garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dill seed, 1 teaspoon mustard seed and six peppercorns., In a Dutch oven, bring the water, vinegar, sugar and salt to a boil. Drain asparagus; pack in jars to within 1/2 in. of top. , Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 20 minutes in a boiling-water canner.