Superfast Asparagus Recipes

SUPERFAST ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Snap the asparagus at the tender part of the stalk. Arrange spears in one layer on a baking sheet. Spray lightly with nonstick spray; sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 10 minutes.

BASIC BOILED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• 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.

THE BEST ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• Put the asparagus, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Toss to coat evenly. Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned and tender, but still bright green.
• Meanwhile, spread the Parmesan evenly in the bottom of a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook undisturbed until the cheese melts, sticks together and turns golden brown, about 2 minutes, then flip with a rubber spatula and cook until golden on the second side, about 2 minutes more. Transfer the frico to a wire rack-lined baking sheet to cool completely, about 2 minutes. Break the frico into small crumbles and put in a small bowl. Add the lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and toss to combine.
• Transfer the roasted asparagus to a serving platter and squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the top. Top with the crumbled frico mixture.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Set up a steamer, fill the bottom with water and bring to a boil. If the asparagus are very thick, peel them. Start about 2-inch down from the tip of the stalk and peel. It is not necessary to peel thin asparagus. Cut the asparagus to fit into your steamer basket. Cover and steam until the asparagus are bright green and tender, but still somewhat crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes for thick asparagus and 3 to 5 minutes for thin asparagus. Remove from the steamer and season with salt and pepper.

SUPERFAST ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Snap the asparagus at the tender part of the stalk. Arrange spears in one layer on a baking sheet. Spray lightly with nonstick spray; sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 10 minutes.

SUPERFAST ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Snap the asparagus at the tender part of the stalk. Arrange spears in one layer on a baking sheet. Spray lightly with nonstick spray; sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 10 minutes.

TUSCAN-STYLE ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place the asparagus, tomatoes and pine nuts on a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Mix 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, salt and pepper; add to asparagus and toss to coat. , Bake 15-20 minutes or just until asparagus is tender. Drizzle with remaining oil and the lemon juice; sprinkle with cheese and lemon aest. Toss to combine.

ASPARAGUS PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook asparagus in boiling, salted water for 5 to 7 minutes, or until al dente.
• Drain.
• Melt butter in ovenproof skillet.
• Add asparagus and saute for 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle with cheese, add salt and pepper, and bake for 2 minutes.
• Transfer to broiler and gratinee for 2 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Cut off the woody bottom part of the asparagus spears and discard.
• With a vegetable peeler, peel off the skin on the bottom 2-3 inches of the spears (this keeps the asparagus from being all "stringy" and if you eat asparagus you know what I mean by that).
• Place asparagus on foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• With your hands, roll the asparagus around until they are evenly coated with oil and salt.
• Roast for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your stalks and how tender you like them.
• They should be tender when pierced with the tip of a knife.
• The tips of the spears will get very brown but watch them to prevent burning.
• They are great plain, but sometimes I serve them with a light vinaigrette if we need something acidic to balance out our meal.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Mix the oil and garlic together and set aside to blend for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile: Holding the asparagus in both hands, bend and they will snap off where they become tough.
• Trim bottoms to even off.
• Remove scales at the bottom.
• Cut peppers in long slices.
• Put asparagus in a zip-lock plastic bag and add the oil/garlic mix.
• Toss to coat evenly.
• Place asparagus on foil-lined baking sheet and roast in 450 degree oven for 5-10 minutes (depending on the size of the asparagus) till crisp-tender.
• Remove from oven and add the peppers and toss to coat.
• Return to oven for 5-10 minutes till peppers become crisp-tender.