Welcome to the world of culinary delights! Asparagus, with its vibrant green spears and delicate flavor, takes center stage in this article. We'll guide you through the art of preparing blanched asparagus, a simple yet elegant cooking technique that preserves the vegetable's natural goodness while enhancing its texture and flavor. Discover the secrets to achieving perfectly tender-crisp asparagus, ready to elevate your meals with a touch of sophistication.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS (ROASTED, GRILLED, OR BLANCHED!)
Got asparagus? (Lucky!) Here are three ways to make the magic happen: Roast it in the oven, char it on the grill, or blanch it on the stovetop. Whichever way you choose, it's easy and tasty as heck.
Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Place in a large bowl or clean sink filled with cold water. Drop in the asparagus and swish it around to remove any errant dirt. Discard the woody ends of the asparagus by grasping the end of the spear with one hand and just above the middle with the other hand, then bend until it snaps in half. Discard the woody end.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry asparagus by rolling around on a kitchen towel. Place asparagus in large a bowl and drizzle with olive oil - about 1 tablespoon per pound of asparagus. Add a couple of pinches of salt and toss until coated. Spread the asparagus on a large rimmed sheet pan - a single layer is best! Bake, rolling the asparagus once or twice, until golden brown and tender, 15-20 minutes (check after 10 minutes if your asparagus is very thin). Add additional salt to taste. Serve.
- Preheat grill on medium-high, about 450 degrees. Place asparagus in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil - about 1 tablespoon per 1 pound of asparagus. Add a pinch of salt and toss until coated. Lay spears on the grill. Close grill for a couple of minutes then open and turn asparagus with tongs. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, turning once or twice more, until the asparagus is tender and charred in spots. Remove from grill and serve, adding more salt if desired.
- Fill a large pot about halfway with water. Fill a large bowl with cold water and a few ice cubes, then set aside. Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the asparagus. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until just tender. Using tongs, transfer asparagus to the bowl of ice water. Dunk a few times then remove from water and finish however you like - marinate in , saute in butter or olive oil, add a pinch of salt ... your choice!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 4 ounces, Calories 54 kcal, Sugar 2 g, Sodium 2 mg, Fat 4 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Carbohydrate 4 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 2 g
BLANCHED ASPARAGUS
Plunge asparagus into rapidly boiling water, then refresh in ice water to keep them crisp-tender and bright green.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes Dinner Side Dishes
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Prepare 1 1/2 pounds medium-thick asparagus (see Rinse and Snap). Have a large bowl of ice water ready. In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Season with 2 tablespoons coarse salt, and add asparagus; boil until tender, 3 to 4 minutes (depending on thickness).
- Remove with tongs, or drain in a colander, and immediately transfer to ice water for 1 minute to stop the cooking process. Drain; refrigerate until completely chilled.
HEALTHY BLANCHED ASPARAGUS
Blanching asparagus is a very simple process that creates a healthy and delicious side dish.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes Dinner Side Dishes
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and return water to a boil. Prepare an ice-water bath. Peel lower two thirds of each asparagus stalk with a vegetable peeler. Place asparagus in boiling water and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and immediately transfer asparagus to ice-water bath until cool; drain.
BLANCHED ASPARAGUS WITH TARRAGON DRESSING
Categories Dill Salad Dressing Spring
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Prepare Asparagus
- Thicker asparagus works great for this method. If using, use a vegetable peeler to peel bottom third of asparagus spears. Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender. Depending on the thickness of your asparagus this could be anywhere from 1-3 minutes. Drain; and immerse in ice water bath to cool quickly. Once cold, drain again. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Pat dry; wrap in paper towels, then plastic, and refrigerate.) Tarragon Dressing This is just a suggestion, any fresh herb variation will be good... I like tarragon or basil best.
- Make Dressing
- Tarragon Dressing This is just a suggestion, any fresh herb variation will be good... I like tarragon or basil best.
Tips:
- Choose the right asparagus. Look for spears that are firm and have tightly closed tips. Avoid spears that are limp or have woody ends.
- Trim the asparagus. Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus spears. You can also use a knife to cut off the ends.
- Blanch the asparagus. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the asparagus is bright green and tender. Remove the asparagus from the boiling water and immediately plunge it into a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process and help the asparagus retain its color.
- Drain and dry the asparagus. Once the asparagus is cool, drain it well and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Serve the asparagus. Blanched asparagus can be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can be served as a side dish, in salads, or as part of a main course.
Conclusion:
Blanching asparagus is a simple and easy way to cook this delicious vegetable. By following the tips in this article, you can blanch asparagus perfectly every time. Blanched asparagus is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a great way to add a healthy and flavorful vegetable to your meals.
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