Aparagus

This is part recipe, part love note! I love Spring for many reasons, but one of the top reasons is Asparagus comes in season.  I no longer have to make due with flash frozen spears, or pay out the nose for fresh.  I can bake it, roast it, steam it, grill it, and just eat it raw to my hearts content!!

So I am posting a few of my favorite ways I cook asparagus, no recipes here just the process.  You can use these for any veggies, and swap ingredients or seasonings what ever toots your horn! There is no wrong way to eat asparagus, or at least that is my opinion. If you have a great way please share!

Steamed Asparagus:  Easy chop the asparagus to the length you desire, or what fits in your steamer, pieces are fine too. I use my microwave steamer for this and set it for 4 mins.  Remove from the steamer and drizzle with lemon juice or balsamic vinegar and eat!

Grilled Asparagus:  Toss asparagus spears with oil and salt.  Place on the preheated grill.  Keep rolling the spears around on the grill to avoid burning.  They will get browned and slightly charred, but do not worry they are supposed to be like that.  It only takes a few minutes and then eat up!

Pan Roasted Asparagus:  This has become my new favorite method.  Heat up a heavy frying pan(cast iron if you have it), you want it on med/hi heat.  Drizzle olive oil on the spears and then coat them thoroughly.  Season with salt, pepper, or your favorite spices.  Place in the hot pan and cook.  Keep turning the spears to not scorch.  Cook several minutes until they are done to your taste.  Turn off heat and squeeze juice of 1/2 lemon and add zest of the lemon as well.  Toss and serve.  You can add Parmesan cheese before you serve if desired.

Oven Roasted Asparagus:  Same as pan roasted except place on a cookie sheet and placed in a preheated oven and bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Take out of oven and prepare as above!

Blanched Asparagus:  Love to do this if I am using the aspaprgus for any salad, use in any cold dish, or to have it in the fridge for a quick snack.  Add the spears to salted boiling water.  Boil just long enough that the asparagus turns a brilliant green – about a minute.  Remove from the water and put in a bowl of ice water.  Once it has cooled to the touch, drain and refrigerate.

Well there you have it! Some of my favorite ways, what about you!! Share and help me find even more ways to love ASPARAGUS!!