Tuesday, July 10, 2007

What to Do With Asparagus


When I was in DC last month, I met a new acquaintance, Erika, while dining at the bar of this lovely restaurant. I was alone, so I chatted with her and her dining companion about Rioja wines, the house-made caramels, the challenges of immigration issues in our country, Erika's darling dog and lots more.

We have emailed a bit since and she had a question/challenge for me. She said she never knows what to do with asparagus.

I know that asparagus season is nearly over, but here is my round-up, just for Erika, on what to do with asparagus. Please, anyone reading - post in the comments with your asparagus recipes. We can always save these for next year's asparagus season!

Ways to Cook Asparagus:
(serves as many as you need)


Oven-roasted, Grilled or Sauteed:
* Olive oil, salt and pepper
* Butter, salt and pepper
* White or black truffle oil, salt and pepper
* Citrus (juice of 1 large pink grapefruit or other sweet citrus), olive oil, salt and pepper
* Sesame (sesame oil, soy sauce, pinch brown sugar, salt and pepper), top with toasted sesame seeds for serving
* Barbecue (chili powder, cumin, cayenne, brown sugar, black pepper, paprika, salt, etc. dusted), drizzle with olive oil
* Sweet & Spicy, toss with cayenne and brown sugar, drizzle with olive oil
* Pouch Cooking, wrap asparagus with a few ice cubes, chunks of cold butter, lemon slices and salt and pepper in foil, grill or roast just until done and a sauce forms

Steamed/Blanched:
* Lightly blanch (drop into boiling water) asparagus, wrap with prosciutto
* Steam just until bright green and softened, serve with easy blender hollandaise sauce

Recipes from Other Bloggers:
* A quite inspiring recipe for Grilled Asparagus with Double Lemon and Parmesan from Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen
* A brilliant collaboration from the new cookbook, Super Natural Cooking, from Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks and Elise of Simply Recipes for Asparagus Pesto with Pasta
* From I'm Mad and I Eat, Buttered Asparagus
* A beautiful Asparagus Eggs Benedict from Alanna of A Veggie Venture
* Lovely Asparagus Soup and an Asparagus Tart from Freya and Paul of Writing at the Kitchen Table

14 comments:

Lis said...

I heart asparagus, next year I'm going to try growing it myself, wish me luck!

As much as I love it, there is only one way I like to prepare it and that's roasting it until it's crispedy. *swoon*

I've been outta the blog reading routine for a while and am just amazed at all the wonderful recipes you've been posting and enjoying! That mafalda looks SO GOOD and has me drooling! The omelet, pork chops and fruit kabobs also have me swooning to and fro! Yummy!

Best part is the picture of you and your friends.. hilarious! I'm so glad you all had such a good time! =)

xoxo

Janet said...

Hi Kristen... I'll have to check out all those recipes, I love Asparagus... Here's one of mine...

Asparagus wrapped with Proscuitto

Deborah said...

I LOVE asparagus, and I still have one more recipe I want to try before they are gone until next year. I better get on it!!

Anonymous said...

Dang, Kirsten. I was just resigning myself to the end of asparagus for the season, and now you've given me all these new ways to crave it.

AbbyChronicles said...

love it!!! the mysterious world of asparagus finally cracked wide open!!

lululu said...

Just an Asian touch....try fry sliced beef flanks with chopped asparagus. Top with oyster sauce (1/2 cup oyster sauce + 2tbsp water +1 tbsp cornstarch) to make it perfect!

Melanie said...

Oh K - you know how I love asparagus. :) My favorite is grilled simply with EVOO and S&P...but I also have a new love for it with a little mixture I created: equal parts of dijon and EVOO, S&P and some parmeseano reggiano shavings...it's wonderful! I just toss together and roast. :)

Nora B. said...

I usually just steam them and have them plain or tossed in some garlic olive oil. This list of ideas will come in handy for me - thanks!

Anonymous said...

She came to the right person for this challenge! Great recipes.

Chris said...

Yum! I am a huge fan of asparagus! And, I am like Lis - not being up to date on my blog reading. I am loveing the Asparagus & Goat Cheese Omelet. Amazing combo - Asparagus and Goat Cheese...must be bookmarked!

Kalyn Denny said...

Nice round-up. Thanks for including my recipe. Our asparagus is getting expensive now, but I'm saving this to del.icio.us for next year!

Kelly-Jane said...

I love asparagus too. Would like to be able to buy the white asparagus here...

Christy said...

So yummy!

Our fav is just grilled with olive oil and salt and pepper. Sometime we also add a little balsamic too it! Oh and then crumbled feta on top too :)

Kirsten said...

Hi Lis! Thanks and I agree, roasted until crisp is THE BEST way to cook asparagus.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and for sharing your recipes. Erika is set for this year and next. :)