These versatile vegetables can be cooked in many different ways. Asparagus is really easy and quick to cook as well.  Here we explore how to cook asparagus spears on the stove by steaming or boiling, in the oven or microwave.  Also, they are great grilled or lightly fried/sautéed.

Getting the right fresh asparagus in the supermarket is vital to enjoying them at their best. Here we cover what to look out for when buying your asparagus and how to prepare it.

Asparagus is highly nutritious and has several of the main Vitamins like A, C, B6 & K (70%). It also has smaller amounts of protein.

Simply by adding some salt, pepper, and garlic, you can make a very tasty dish.

How to Choose the Best Asparagus when Shopping

You want to make sure your asparagus is really fresh to get the best out of it.  Often in the supermarket, the spears go limp and are woody.  When you are buying them make sure they are firm and a good shade of green and not pale and looking stale. Try to gently bend them (but not enough to snap) if they are bendy and soft do not buy them. Check them for blemishes.  Buy only small amounts as it doesn’t really keep that long.

How to Cook Fresh Asparagus Spears

How to Boil Asparagus Spears

1. Wash your asparagus spears well in cold running water
2. Remove the tougher part of the stalk.  You do this by bending the stalk until it snaps off.  Use the tender part only and throw out (compost) the rest
3. If you have thin asparagus go to step 4.  If you have thick asparagus stalks you may need to peel them with a potato peeler.  Just slice off the outer layer and scales
4. Boil a pan of water on the stove
5. Gently put your asparagus spears into the boiling on the stove
6. Return the water to the boil
7. Simmer your spears for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and tender but not floppy
8. Drain off the water
9. Season to taste with salt and pepper
10. They are now ready to serve

How to Quickly Steam Your Asparagus on the Hob

1. Rinse your asparagus well in cold running water
2. Remove the tougher part of the stalk.  You do this by bending the stalk until it snaps off.  Use the tender part only and throw out or compost the tough parts
3. If your asparagus stalks are thick you may want to peel them with a potato peeler.  Slice off the outer layer and scales
4. Cut your asparagus so that it fits into your steamer
5. Put boiling water into your steamer making sure you have enough so that it doesn’t boil dry
6. Steam your spears for about 6-8 minutes depending on their thickness
7. Remove the asparagus from the steamer season with salt and pepper and serve

How to Cook Asparagus Spears in the Microwave

1. Use cold running water from the tap to rinse your asparagus
2. Now remove the tough end of the stalks.  Bend the stalk until the woody part snaps off.  Use only the tender part only and discard the tough parts
3. For thicker asparagus stalks peel them with a potato peeler.  Cut off the scales and outer parts of the stalk
4. Put your 500g asparagus into a microwavable bowl
5. Add 60ml of cold water
6. add 7g of salt
7. Cover your bowl but leave a vent
8. cook on high for about 3 minutes or until your asparagus is tender and a bright green colour
9.  Remove from the heat and allow to stand for a couple of minutes

How to Grill Asparagus

1. Rinse under cold water to remove any dirt
2. Remove the tough bit of the stalks.  Bend the stalks until the end snaps off.  Keep the larger tender part and use that only
3. If you have thick asparagus you may need to peel the stalks. Use a potato peeler to get rid of the tougher part and the scales
4. Now bush the stems with olive oil and a bit of salt
5. Heat your grill to a medium heat
6. Place your asparagus under the heat of the grill for a couple of minutes making sure you turn them once for even cooking
7. When they are tender and before they brown too much they are ready
8. Remove from the heat and serve

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How to Fry Asparagus – A Sautéed Asparagus & Garlic Recipe

How to quickly fry asparagus spears a simple sautéed recipe

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Prep Time 3 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 2

Ingredients

• 57 g butter
• 2-3   cloves minced up garlic
• 20 ml olive oil
• 300 g asparagus spears
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Remove any dirt of bugs by washing your asparagus under cold water
2. Bend the stalks until the end snaps off. This removes any tough woody parts of the stalks
3. Use a potato peeler to get rid of the tougher part of the outer stems and the scales if you have thicker asparagus stems
4. Melt a small amount of butter in a frying pan on a medium to high heat
5. Put in the olive oil and the salt and the pepper and stir together
6. Cook your garlic in the butter for about a minute
7. Add your asparagus spears to the pan and now cook for approximately 8-10 minutes turning your asparagus to make sure it is cooked evenly on all sides
8. Serve immediately

Cool Asparagus Recipe Book

Learn How to Cook Asparagus with 25 Asparagus Recipes


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How to Cook Asparagus Spears in the Oven – A Simple Asparagus with Garlic Recipe

A quick and easy recipe to cook asparagus spears and garlic in the oven

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Prep Time 3 minutes

Cook Time 16 minutes

Total Time 19 minutes

Servings 2

Ingredients

• 57 g butter
• 2-3   cloves minced up garlic
• 20 ml olive oil
• 300 g asparagus spears
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Rinse under cold water to remove any dirt
2. Remove the tough bit of the stalks.  Bend the stalks until the end snaps off.  Keep the larger tender part and use that only
3. If you have thick asparagus you may need to peel the stalks. Use a potato peeler to get rid of the tougher part and the scales
4. Heat your oven to 220C
5. Put your asparagus into a bowl and lightly coat with olive oil all over
6. Add some minced garlic and salt and pepper
7. Cook in the oven for about 11-16 minutes until your spears are tender (cooking time depends on the thickness of the stems.