The Easiest And BEST Way To Cook Asparagus

Asparagus is the perfect vegetable to serve as a side dish. It is low in calories and high in nutrients. Asparagus is a good source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K, and even contains some protein.

When choosing asparagus, look for spears that are bright green and firm. Avoid spears that are yellow or limp. Fresh asparagus is best, but you can also find frozen or canned asparagus at most supermarkets.

My love affair with asparagus only started a few years ago. I used to live and breathe broccoli – but as I hit my 30s something changed inside of me. That’s when I fell in love with a new kinda green.

What Are The Different Ways You Can Cook Asparagus?

One of the best ways to cook asparagus is by roasting it in the oven. To do this, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay a single layer of asparagus on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil or melted butter. You can also toss them with some additional seasonings like salt, pepper, or lemon zest. Roast them for about 10 minutes or until tender and lightly browned before serving.

Another great way to cook asparagus is by steaming it on the stovetop. To do this, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of salt. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare an ice bath by bringing a large bowl of water and ice to the sink.

Cut off about an inch from the bottom of your asparagus stalks and discard, then steam for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Carefully remove them from the water using tongs or a slotted spoon and immediately submerge in the bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking further. Drain well before serving.

Asparagus can also be cooked on the grill if you have access to one during grilling season! Trim off any hard bottoms of the asparagus where it snaps off easily and discards, then lay them out evenly on a piece of foil that is long enough to wrap all around so they are not touching each other.

Drizzle with olive oil and season with a little bit of salt and pepper. Wrap up the asparagus in the foil and secure at the top so it is closed nice and tight. Place on a preheated grill over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes or until tender, then serve immediately.

How Do I Cook Asparagus?

Personally, I love to roast asparagus because there’s nothing better than feeling that CRUNCH when you bite in. Here’s what I do:

• Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil (to avoid having to clean it later – yes, I’m lazy like that)
• Set the over to 420 degrees
• Break each asparagus where it naturally splits and line them up on a sheet.
• Spray with PAM cooking spray (yes, cooking spray) and season with salt and pepper
• Bake for at least 25 minutes. If you like them more burnt – keep going – but watch them. At 25 minutes they are still crisp and large. The longer you go the smaller and blacker they become (which I like too on occasion).

I make this with dinner or just as a quick snack throughout the day. I am not a carrot and celery muncher so this is the next best thing.

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