Easy Broiled Asparagus Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What method of cooking is best for preparing asparagus? ›

Asparagus is great quickly stir-fried or sautéed over high heat. You could sauté spears in butter or olive oil with delicious results, but throwing some chopped herbs or sliced chiles into the pan adds wonderful flavor. Both of these methods produce juicy asparagus that retains its crunch.

Try adding shredded, raw asparagus to pasta dishes and salads. Alternatively, enjoy the spears lightly steamed or sautéed in a frittata, or as a stand-alone side dish. Asparagus is a nutritious choice, regardless of whether it's cooked or raw. Try eating a combination of the two for maximum health benefits.

I trim the ends and then rinse the stalks and let them sit in cold water for five minutes. It hydrates the asparagus, and they cook more quickly, for they are already wet with some moisture within them. Do not soak them for thirty minutes, you are not trying to get them soggy.

Blanching, roasting, and grilling are my three go-to cooking methods, but you can also sauté asparagus for a frittata or pasta or poach whole spears for a quick dinner side dish. I even like it simmered into soup.

Asparagus develops a rich flavor when roasted, making this one of the most popular ways to eat the vegetable. Wash and trim spears, lightly peel the base of tougher stalks, and pat dry. Place on a baking sheet and mist or drizzle with olive oil, rolling each spear to coat.

Overcooking It

Because it only takes a few minutes to cook, keep a close eye on it to avoid soggy, limp stems as the outcome. To avoid overcooking, take it out of the oven or off the stove a minute or so before you think it's done. Another way to prevent overcooking is to shock the asparagus in an ice bath.

Asparagus contains an enzyme that creates a woody compound called "lignin," at the end of each spear. Lignin is not softened by heat, so it remains fibrous and tough after cooking. To eliminate lignin, snap (don't cut) the end of each spear just before cooking.

Asparagus can be purchased as whole stems or spears (the tender, top part of the stem). Before cooking these pre-trimmed asparagus tops, all you need to do is give them a simple wash and they are ready. Whole asparagus needs slightly more preparation - due to their tough 'woody' ends.

The dietary fiber in asparagus helps your stomach and intestines continue to work normally. Dietary fiber fuels good bacteria, which help your body digest food and absorb important nutrients. Eating enough fiber also helps prevent problems like hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, or other painful digestive problems.

Asparagus is rich in minerals and vitamins A, C and folic acid. It's a fibrous vegetable that may support a healthy gut, as well as help to lower blood pressure. For these reasons, it can be considered a healthy addition to any diet.

Is asparagus good for belly fat? ›

Asparagus isn't as popular a veggie as others on this list, but it's a wonder food when it comes to burning fat and slimming down. Asparagus contains the chemical asparagine, which is an alkaloid that acts directly on cells and breaks down fat.

How do you know when asparagus is done cooking? It should be tender, not soggy. Asparagus that is done cooking will also have a bright green hue to it.

Asparagus, a vegetable with a high nutritional value, can be eaten cooked or raw. Because of its chewy texture, cooking is the most common preparation method. However, thinly sliced ​​or seasoned raw asparagus can give the dish just as much flavor.

One easy way to cook asparagus is to blanch it. Not only is it quick, but blanching also helps retain the vegetable's vibrant green color. Plus, blanched asparagus results in a crisp-tender texture, perfect for recipes like Asparagus Salad with Eggs & Jambon de Bayonne and Tarragon Scallops on Asparagus Spears.

Drizzle with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, toss to coat, then sprinkle with coarse salt, pepper, and a quarter cup of shredded Parmesan. Roast for 15 minutes in a 450°F oven until the cheese is melted and golden. That's it! This recipe is deceptively simple, but the genius is in the heat.

Learn how to cook asparagus in six different ways: Boiling, steaming, oven-roasting, sauteing, broiling, and pan-roasting. Each method makes the tender green spears pop with flavor. The fibrous vegetable cooks up in minutes for a healthy side dish.