How To Cook Asparagus: The Easiest and Simplest Method Ever!
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Unless you’re allergic to asparagus, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be eating it. It is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin C and K, along with iron, copper, manganese and folic acid. Plus, asparagus also contains a type of carbohydrate known as fructooligosaccharides (fructans for short), which may help protect against colon cancer. Add that to the fact that it remains one of the most popular vegetables among home cooks and restaurant menus alike — and you’ll see why we think it’s so important that you know how to cook asparagus.
What You’ll Need
For this recipe, you’ll need a bunch of asparagus, olive oil, salt and pepper, and a baking sheet or roasting pan. You can also use this guide to cook asparagus in any other method!
Steps to Cooking Asparagus
– Prep the asparagus: Asparagus is delicious when roasted, but it also works well with sautéing, steaming, and boiling. No matter which cooking method you choose, the first step is to prepare the stalks by snapping off the bottom ends of the spears with your hands. The ends of asparagus are usually more woody and fibrous, so it’s best to start by breaking off the bottoms so you can avoid chewing on tough, stringy ends.
– Assemble your ingredients: When cooking asparagus, you’ll want to season it with a little bit of salt. You can use any type of salt, but we highly recommend using sea salt, as it will bring out the flavor of the asparagus even more. You can also add pepper to the asparagus spears if you like, but it isn’t necessary.
– Steam: To steam asparagus, fill a pot with a few inches of water and place a steaming rack or basket inside. Next, place the asparagus on the rack and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, place a lid on the pot and let the asparagus steam until it reaches the desired level of tenderness.
– Boil: To boil asparagus, fill a pot with water and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the asparagus and let it boil for about 3-5 minutes.
– Sauté: To sauté asparagus, heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of oil, butter or another fat. Once the pan is hot, add the asparagus and sauté for about 5-7 minutes or until the spears are tender and golden brown.
– Roast: To roast asparagus, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and arrange the asparagus spears on top. Drizzle the asparagus with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper and give it a quick toss. Finally, roast the asparagus for about 10-15 minutes or until the spears are tender and beginning to brown. If you like your asparagus crispy, leave it in the oven a little longer.
– Bake: To bake asparagus, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and arrange the asparagus spears on top. Drizzle the asparagus with a bit of olive oil and bake for about 10-15 minutes.
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How To Roast Asparagus
Roasting asparagus may sound fancy, but it really is one of the easiest and simplest ways to cook asparagus. This cooking method is actually best for asparagus that isn’t very fresh, as it brings out and intensifies the flavor of slightly wilted stalks. You can also use the roasting method to prepare asparagus that you plan to use in a salad. Roasting asparagus is also a great method for preparing asparagus for kids, who might have a harder time digesting raw asparagus. The baking method also works well if you are cooking asparagus for a large group and want to serve it as a side dish.
How To Sauté Asparagus
Sautéing asparagus is one of the best ways to cook asparagus, especially if you want to retain the vegetable’s crispy texture. This cooking method is also great for asparagus that isn’t very fresh, as it will help the stalks become more tender. Sautéing asparagus is a simple way to add a delicious side dish to your meal. This method works best with thin asparagus stalks. If you have thicker spears, you can cut them in half or even thirds so they are easier to eat. Since sautéing asparagus is a quick-cooking method, you can serve it as a side dish along with almost any type of meat or fish.
How To Braise Asparagus
Asparagus is delicious when prepared with many different cooking methods, but there are certain dishes that are a better fit for certain cooking methods. Asparagus is best served with roasted chicken, steak and salmon. This cooking method works best for asparagus that isn’t very fresh, as it will help the stalks become more tender. Braising asparagus is a simple way to add a delicious side dish to your meal. This method works best with thick stalks of asparagus. If you have thin stalks, you can cut them in half or even thirds so they are easier to eat. Since braising asparagus is a longer-cooking method, it’s best to serve this dish with a meal that takes longer to prepare.
Asparagus is an amazing vegetable that can easily be cooked in a variety of ways. Whether you prefer to roast, sauté or steam it, the cooking method you choose doesn’t matter; the end result will still be delicious. The best part about asparagus is that it can be eaten all year long. This guide will teach you how to cook asparagus, no matter what time of year it is! Whether you prefer your asparagus fresh, roasted or even baked, we hope you’ve found the cooking guide you’ve been looking for. Now go make yourself a tasty asparagus dish! If you enjoyed this guide, please let us know by clicking the button below! And if you have any questions or comments, we would love to hear them!