Unleash the vibrant flavors of asparagus with a spicy twist in a wok. This delectable dish combines the crisp texture of asparagus with a tantalizing blend of spices that ignite your taste buds. Whether you prefer a mild heat or an adventurous kick, this article will guide you through the art of creating a simple yet extraordinary spicy asparagus dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the beauty of fresh asparagus and the transformative power of spices.
Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!
SIMPLE SPICY ASPARAGUS IN A WOK
Asparagus doesn't have to be treated as a delicate, fragile thing, napped only with butter or creamy sauces, or served plain with olive oil and salt. That's fine for the first week or two of the season, but then it's time to dial up the interest factor and add some spice. Asparagus actually stands up quite well to aggressive flavors. A quick toss in a hot wok with garlic, ginger and chiles doesn't overwhelm it at all, at least if you don't overcook the spears. Instead, the vegetable's sweetness becomes accentuated by contrast.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories easy, quick, side dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Snap off and discard bottoms of asparagus, then cut into 2-inch pieces (halve thicker pieces lengthwise first).
- Set wok over high heat and add vegetable oil. Add dried peppers and let sizzle, then add asparagus, tossing well to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Stir-fry for a minute or so, then add chile paste, garlic, ginger, orange zest and jalapeño. Continue cooking over high heat for a minute, maybe less, until asparagus is cooked but still firm and bright green. (It will continue cooking off the heat.)
- Mound asparagus on a serving platter and drizzle with sesame oil. Sprinkle cilantro, green onion and sesame seeds over the top.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 115, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 481 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams
STIR-FRIED ASPARAGUS AND BASIL WITH SPICY ORANGE SAUCE
Steps:
- Combine the orange juice, soy sauce, and hot red pepper flakes in a small bowl and set aside.
- Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus. If the asparagus are thin, cut them on the diagonal into 2-inch pieces. If the asparagus are average or thicker, cut the spears in half lengthwise and then on the diagonal in 2-inch pieces.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet set over high heat. When the oil is shimmering but not smoking, add the asparagus and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Push the asparagus to the sides of the pan and place the garlic and ginger in the center. Drizzle the remaining 1 teaspoon oil over the garlic and ginger. Cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the orange juice mixture, toss to coat well, and cover. Cook until the asparagus are tender, 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears.
- Remove the cover and add the basil. Stir-fry until the sauce has reduced to a thick glaze, about 30 seconds. Serve immediately.
SPICY ASPARAGUS WITH GARLIC
This is a simple side dish that's quick, easy, and healthy. It's pleasantly garlicky and a little bit spicy. The spiciness may be adapted to your taste with red pepper flakes. For variation, feel fee to add other ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes, shallots, pine nuts, mushrooms, etc.
Provided by lutzflcat
Categories Asparagus Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add asparagus and blanch until the asparagus turns a vibrant green, about 1 minute. Transfer asparagus to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Remove asparagus from the ice bath, drain, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, just until it becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds. Season with pepper flakes, add asparagus, and quickly toss in the seasoned oil. Heat until asparagus is just crisp-tender, not overly soft, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in olives and season with salt and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 149.5 calories, Carbohydrate 9.2 g, Fat 12.3 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 3.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 540.8 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
QUICK-PICKLED SPICY ASPARAGUS
I love pickled asparagus but got tired of spending so much money on tiny little jars and decided to pickle my own. I also like it spicy but feel free to halve the crushed red pepper or omit it altogether if spice is not your thing.
Provided by Soup Loving Nicole
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Canning and Preserving Recipes Pickled
Time P2DT1h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place trimmed asparagus in a quart-sized canning jar. Add garlic, pepper flakes, mustard seed, and peppercorns.
- Combine vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn heat off.
- Pour vinegar mixture over the asparagus. Screw on the lid and let sit until lid has sealed, about 1 hour.
- Place in the refrigerator until pickled, at least 2 days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 20.9 calories, Carbohydrate 3.7 g, Fat 0.3 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 874.6 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
SPICY FRIED ASPARAGUS STALKS
I adore asparagus but too often I trim off the tips and much of the stem goes to waste. I decided to take inspiration from one of my favourite recipes here on Zaar, Spicy Fried Celery #23818 by JanS, to create this use for asparagus stems.
Provided by Sackville
Categories Vegetable
Time 10m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cut the asparagus stems in half lengthwise.
- In a wok, heat the oil until very hot.
- Put in the stems and chilli flakes or chilli and fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the water and sugar and cook on a high heat for about 4 minutes or until the stems are nearly tender.
- This may take longer if your stems are especially thick.
- Add the soy sauce and cook a minute longer.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 149.5, Fat 7.9, SaturatedFat 1.1, Sodium 1068.3, Carbohydrate 17.6, Fiber 4.8, Sugar 10, Protein 6.4
WOK-FRIED ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS
Not all asparagus dishes are delicate and subtle. Try this stir-fry to see how well the sweetness of asparagus and spicy bold flavors go together.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories quick, vegetables, side dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Snap off and discard bottoms of asparagus, then cut into 2-inch pieces. (Halve thicker pieces lengthwise first.)
- Set a wok over high heat and add vegetable oil. When oil is hot, add asparagus and season lightly with salt. Stir-fry for a minute or so, then add Sichuan pepper, five-spice powder, garlic, ginger, sugar, chiles, soy sauce and walnuts. Continue cooking over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, tossing to coat well, until asparagus is cooked but still firm and bright green. (It will continue to cook a bit off the heat.)
- Transfer asparagus to a serving platter and drizzle with sesame oil. Sprinkle green onions over the top and garnish with cilantro sprigs.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 148, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 483 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SPICY ASPARAGUS IN WOK
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- cut asparagus into 2 inch pieces
- Set wok over high heat and add vegetable oil. Add dried peppers and let sizzle, then add asparagus, tossing well to coat.
- Stir-fry for a minute or so, then add chile paste, garlic, ginger, orange zest and jalapeño. Continue cooking over high heat for a minute, maybe less, until asparagus is cooked but still firm and bright green. (It will continue cooking off the heat.)
- Mound asparagus on a serving platter and drizzle with sesame oil. Sprinkle cilantro, green onion and sesame seeds over the top.
STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH GINGER GARLIC SAUCE
Steps:
- In a steamer set over boiling water, steam asparagus, covered, until just crisp-tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain asparagus well.
- In a 1-cup measure, stir together cornstarch and water until dissolved and stir in soy sauce, Sherry or Scotch, sugar, salt and sesame oil.
- Heat a wok or large heavy skillet over high heat until hot and add vegetable oil. Heat vegetable oil until hot but not smoking and stir-fry ginger root and garlic 30 seconds. Add asparagus and stir-fry 30 seconds. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to asparagus. Bring liquid to a boil, stirring, and stir-fry mixture until asparagus is well coated. Sprinkle asparagus with sesame seeds and toss.
SPICY ASPARAGUS SPEARS
This no-fuss dish gets its zippy taste from Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes. Even those who don't like asparagus will enjoy these buttery spears.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large skillet, melt butter. Stir in the onion powder, seasoned salt, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes. Add asparagus spears, stir gently to coat. Cover and cook 5-7 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 26 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 210mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
STIR-FRIED ASPARAGUS
This recipe for stir-fried asparagus is a bright, flavorful way to prepare the vegetable.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes Dinner Side Dishes
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a nonstick skillet or a wok, heat the oil over high heat. Add the asparagus, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes. Add the water, and continue to cook until easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, about 3 minutes more.
SPICY SHRIMP MASALA
Black pepper, garam masala, Thai green chiles and Kashmiri red chile powder make this shrimp masala a multi-layered delight of spices - fiery and smoldering simultaneously - while lemon juice and cilantro add brightness and bring some relief. In coastal cities of South Asia like Karachi and states like Goa, this preparation is typical and perfectly suited for crunchy, sweet shrimp. That such complexity comes together in 30 minutes feels like a small miracle.
Provided by Zainab Shah
Categories dinner, weekday, seafood, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Pat shrimp dry, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
- Heat ghee over medium heat in a wok or large (12-inch) frying pan until it has melted, about 30 seconds. Add ginger, garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add chile powder, cumin, turmeric and Thai green chiles. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and start to stick to the wok, about 15 minutes. Add coconut milk if you like it saucy.
- Add shrimp. Stir so that shrimp are evenly coated, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally so the shrimp cook evenly, until the shrimp turn pink and appear firm, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, sprinkle with lemon juice, garam masala, cilantro and remaining ½ teaspoon black pepper. Serve with roti, store-bought pita or by itself.
SPICY BEEF AND ASPARAGUS STIR FRY
This recipe is from my daughter, Julie, it is easier than it looks. Very good and uses common ingredients that you would have on hand.
Provided by Marjie501
Categories Vegetable
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Freeze the steak until partially firm. Slice the beef into thin strips.
- Combine the cornstarch, water, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Add the beef and toss to coat.
- Mix the broth, soy sauce and ketchup in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat wok or skillet over high heat until hot. Add 1Tablespoon of the oil and the garlic. Stir fry for 20 seconds. Add half the beef mixture and stir fry until beef is brown. Then remove with slotted spoon and stir fry the rest of the beef. Remove as before, then add the rest of the oil. Stir fry the asparagus for two minutes, then add the pepper and onion for 2 more minutes.
- Return the beef to the wok and stir in the broth mixture. Cook until bubbly, stirring constantly. Cook covered one minute longer.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 312.6, Fat 18.4, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 69.2, Sodium 688.9, Carbohydrate 9.7, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 3.6, Protein 27.5
Tips:
- Select the freshest asparagus: Look for spears that are firm, bright green, and have tightly closed tips. Avoid spears that are wilted, limp, or have brown or yellow spots.
- Prepare the asparagus properly: To prepare the asparagus, simply snap off the tough, woody ends. You can also peel the asparagus if desired, but this is not necessary.
- Use a hot wok: A hot wok is essential for cooking asparagus quickly and evenly. Make sure to preheat your wok over high heat before adding the asparagus.
- Stir-fry the asparagus in small batches: Do not overcrowd the wok, or the asparagus will not cook evenly. Stir-fry the asparagus in small batches, shaking the wok constantly to ensure even cooking.
- Add the sauce at the end: Add the sauce to the asparagus towards the end of cooking, so that the asparagus does not overcook. Stir-fry the asparagus with the sauce for a minute or two, until the sauce is well combined.
- Serve the asparagus immediately: Asparagus is best served immediately after cooking, while it is still hot and crisp.
Conclusion:
This simple spicy asparagus stir-fry is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious spring vegetable. With its vibrant green color, crisp texture, and slightly spicy flavor, this dish is sure to please everyone at your table. Serve it as a side dish, or as a main course with rice or noodles.
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