Asparagus is one of those vegetables that many won’t know what to do with it. So I’ve come up with a tips post on what can I do with fresh asparagus, to let you know how to store it, cook it and some delicious recipes to make with it!
Asparagus is a perennial spring vegetable that is either green, white or purple, only the young shoots are eaten before the buds start to open otherwise they turn woody. It is very low in calories and low in sodium. It contains lots of vitamins and minerals like calcium, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Possible health benefits include fighting cancer.
It likes the subtropical climates of China, Mexico, Thailand, and Peru with soil conditions that are not overly acidic. Purple asparagus is slightly sweeter than the green version, and white is much milder in taste. It gets the colour white from being grown underground and never see the sunlight. You can find out how to grow asparagus here.
How to store asparagus
When you are buying asparagus you want to make sure it looks fresh and not limp. Doesn’t smell, has lovely spears that are compact and if it’s the green version, it’s a rich vibrant green colour the whole length.
Store it in the fridge. To keep the spears as fresh as possible, cover the ends on damp kitchen roll and place them in a plastic bag upright. I would recommend eating it as soon as possible.
How to cook asparagus
To start, float the asparagus in cold water to remove any grit or sand from the spearheads. You can then trim off the woody end around an inch in length. Or hold each end between your hands and snap it in half. It will naturally break at the point where it toughens and becomes woody. You will mainly see it served whole, although it can be chopped up into 1-inch pieces for salads and stir-fries.
Asparagus be grilled, roasted, sautéed, steamed, or blanched. If you are in a rush you can cook asparagus in a microwave with a little water for 3-4 minutes.
Asparagus in air fryer is another way of cooking it. After around 8 minutes at 200 degrees, you have a delicious side dish to any meal. Cooking asparagus in an air fryer means you get it soft and tender on the inside and it’s crispy on the ends. All you need to season before you put it in the air fryer is olive oil, a pinch of salt and some black pepper.
How do I know if the asparagus is cooked? Well, the spear tips should be crisp and it should still be a fresh green colour. Not mushy, or a grey/green colour or bendy.
Meal ideas with asparagus as a side dish
Asparagus goes nicely with salmon or steak. It is also a great accompaniment to dairy. A lovely creamy sauce with a twist of pepper. Or one of my favourites is cheesy roasted asparagus covered with mozzarella and black pepper.
Asparagus wrapped in bacon. ham or prosciutto is a popular choice.
Prawns, crab and scallops pair with asparagus for a light summer meal. Talking of Summer, asparagus is great to put on the BBQ to have as a side dish with your posh burgers!
You can practically have steamed asparagus with butter as a vegetable side dish with anything.
Low-calorie asparagus recipe
If you are looking for a low-calorie recipe then a quick and easy light meal idea to try is 7 asparagus spears with 1 dippy egg. A low-fat gluten-free spin on egg and soldiers at only just over 100 calories per serving.
The best seasonings for asparagus
- Butter
- Salt
- Lemon
- Black pepper
- Fresh mint
- Garlic butter
- Chilli flakes
Roundup: 7 Recipe Ideas For Asparagus
- Grilled asparagus with dill butter and a sprinkling of Parmesan – perfect for a side vegetable dish with fish.
- Asparagus risotto
- Cornish mackerel with asparagus and grapefruit
- The classic poached egg on roasted asparagus with chorizo – perfect for a starter.
- Salmon and asparagus terrine – ideal for a nibble on some oatcakes
- Asparagus smoothies with spinach, apple, and melon – a great refreshing snack after a workout
- Fresh asparagus soup with a light seasoning of salt and black pepper – superb for a light spring lunch with some crusty white bread
What are your favourite asparagus recipes? I would love to hear all about them.