Asparagus - how do you cook yours? - Food Blog

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Asparagus - how do you cook yours?

Posted at 12:02PM, 04 May 2012 by Roxanne Fisher - Writer/Sub-editor, bbcgoodfood.com

As the asparagus seasonal window cracks open, foodies peer through searching for a recipe, which doesn't involve wrapping in meat or boiling to death. The British asparagus season lasts for just two months, May and June, and, judging by the popularity of our recipes, it seems being denied this veggie delicacy for most of the year makes us crave it even more.

Packed with vitamin A, folic acid and vitamin C as well as being a great source of dietary fibre, asparagus loves being paired with everything from salmon to sundried tomatoes. Want to try something different with your bundle of spears? Our five alternative ways to cook asparagus may help...

Bake

Tenderise your stems by baking rather than boiling and retain more of their goodness. Pop alongside your Sunday roast or try pairing with salmon for a nutritious spring main. Pop in risotto and bake a delectable dish or add puff pastry and mozzarella for a quick and tasty tart - perfect for when friends come calling.

Baked asparagus risotto
One-pan salmon with roast asparagus
Asparagus & Parmesan pastries

Chill

Want to impress? Whizz asparagus to a purée to make a show stopping mousse. Pile high in moulds or fill pretty ramekins for the basis of a salad starter.

Garden pea & asparagus mousse
Asparagus mousse with ham & red onion

Griddle

No, the weather's still not there yet, but once the forecast realises it's spring, the garden griddle is a great place for asparagus to be. Simply toss in olive oil and pop on the griddle (undercover or outdoors) until tender. Enjoy on the side of meat and fish or add to warm salads.

Chargrilled asparagus & fennel salad
Grilled asparagus with flaked almonds & butter

Microwave

Food snobs may recoil at the thought of preparing freshly plucked asparagus in the kitchen appliance of convenience - but their scoffing will be quashed with a taste of our speedy risotto. Particularly recommended if you like your stems al dente.

Microwave risotto primavera

Blanch

Boil your asparagus briefly until bright green then place in a bowl of ice water to 'shock' and cease the cooking process. As blanching gives you a crisp texture, use this technique when preparing for salads, pasta dishes or before stir-frying.

Steak, beetroot & asparagus salad
Shaved asparagus salad

How do you cook yours? Tell us below.

Comments

pix-c

2012-05-05 12:56:11.952125
pix-c

Wrapped in pancetta, then griddled or quickly roasted, served with mayo/creme fraiche, or dipped in soft boiled egg with black pepper. Or indeed any other way - yum! Love asparagus!

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Four Candles

2012-05-06 20:24:52.554492
Four Candles

Simply steamed, with a puddle of good salted butter.

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Dr B

2012-05-09 07:36:47.867587
Dr B

Coat in olive oil and fry in a hot griddle pan. This takes six or seven minutes but does depend a bit on your asparagus. Turn the stalks a few times when they start to get small burn light brown burn marks. This produces a lovely nutty flavour.

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lau

2012-05-09 18:46:17.911183
lau

Dampen then dip in grated Parmesan and breadcrumb mix, fry in a mixture of butter and olive oil, delicious!

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PC

2012-05-10 16:41:27.14903
PC

I can't wait to try these recipes with some asparagus that I have finally managed to grow on my allotment after three years! I work as an AGA/Rayburn demonstrator and will use these recipes in my demonstrations during this Merry Month of May! Thank you for such a fantastic array of recipes.

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Annie

2012-05-24 14:15:48.35889
Annie

My favourite meal - I think it's on the recipe pages on this site as A Risotto For Early Spring - with peas and asparagus - simply divine. If you don't want to faff about with fresh pea pods, just use frozen, it tastes just as good. Pleanty of parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin on top, maybe a rocket leaf or two - heaven!

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Cooktop

2013-01-01 17:52:08.443622
Cooktop

Best asparagus recipe ever. I used my old gas cooktop and it was still amazing http://www.gascooktop2.blogspot.co.uk/

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