How to Cook Fresh Asparagus

When someone ask me how to cook fresh asparagus, I tell them if I have fresh tender asparagus I would much rather enjoy it in the fresh state without cooking. It can be cooked but if it is tender it is delicious in salads and dishes that are very lightly cooked like stir fry. Try tossing some in your toss salad with your favorite dressing.

How to Cook Fresh AsparagusHow to Cook Fresh Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the wild vegetables that grows abundantly in many areas of the United States which makes it easy to find if you are eating from the wild. You can find fresh tender wild asparagus growing along the roads, the fence lines like many of the mushrooms or just popping up in fields. Gardeners who grow asparagus have it available all through the summer and in some areas even into the fall months. Asparagus has straight stalks with compact tips. Most of the stalk has a pretty green color except for the bottom ends. These are too tough to eat so must be cut off and thrown away this is important if you know how to cook fresh asparagus. If you don't have fresh asparagus try another asparagus recipe.


The best way for me to tell you how to cook fresh asparagus is to eat in a salad without cooking or cook only to heat. It is best served when still crispy. To steam asparagus, place it in a skillet with a cover. Add very little water and a little salt. Cover tightly, heat until water boils, reduce heat, cover tightly and steam only for 3 to 5 minutes. This preserves the nutrient value and the taste is delicious. Another good way to cook fresh asparagus is to add it in a stir fry; remembering not to overcook. Fresh asparagus is good with only salt and pepper or goes well with seasonings such as lemon, allspice, mustard or coriander.

BLACK BEAN Salad Recipe with ASPARAGUS

  • 1 Pound fresh tender asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 Can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 Red bell pepper, cut into ½ inch squares
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped onion

Mix all ingredients and toss in a covered bowl.

Dressing for Asparagus and black beans

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 Tablespoon vinegar
  • ½ Teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt/pepper to taste
  • ½ Teaspoon garlic powder

Mix dressing and pour over asparagus and bean mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

ASPARAGUS EGG SALAD RECIPE How to cook fresh asparagus is just a matter of choosing the right recipe for you. Experience with several till you find one you like.

Asparagus Egg Salad RecipeAsparagus Egg Salad Recipe
  • 2 Tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • ½ Pound fresh tender asparagus, chopped into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 Cup chopped tomatoes
  • ½ Cup chopped red onion
  • 6 Hard cooked eggs, chopped
  • ¼ Cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Lettuce leaves

Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, salt and hot pepper sauce in a large bowl. Add the asparagus, tomatoes, onion, eggs and parsley.

Toss and serve on lettuce leaves. Best if refrigerated until cold.

STIR FRY VEGETABLE RECIPE

  • ¼ Pound snow peas
  • ¼ Pound fresh asparagus
  • 1 Can sliced water chestnuts, drained
  • ¼ Pound sliced mushrooms
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger root
  • 1 Small sliced onion
  • ½ Cup sliced celery
  • 4 Tablespoon sesame oil
  • Salt/pepper to taste
  • Soy sauce

Sauté ginger in hot oil.

Add vegetables and sauté quickly.

Add soy sauce and salt/pepper to taste.


How to cook fresh asparagus is like any other vegetable you are cooking. Try several ways and many recipes to accommodate your palate.

HAM ROLL RECIPE

  • Fresh asparagus spears cooked
  • Melted butter
  • Salt
  • Nutmeg
  • Center cut slices of baked country ham
  • Hollandaise sauce
  • Fresh pineapple wedges

Toss asparagus spears with small amount of melted butter; sprinkle with salt and nutmeg to taste.
Place 2 asparagus spears on each ham slice; roll up.
Top with Hollandaise sauce and garnish with pineapple to serve.

BAKED ASPARAGUS RECIPE

This is a very tasty recipe when you are learning how to cook fresh asparagus!

  • 1 ½ Pounds fresh asparagus
  • 2 Pounds cucumber, seeded and cut in match sticks
  • ¼ Cup melted butter
  • ½ Cup sliced almonds
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Cup sour cream
  • 1 Tablespoon prepared horseradish
  • ½ Cup bread crumbs

Snap off tough ends of asparagus; remove all scales with vegetable peeler.
Cook in small amount of water for 6 to 8 minutes until tender crisp.
Drain and arrange in a buttered open baking dish.
Sauté cucumbers in skillet with melted butter and almonds.
Add lemon juice and pour over asparagus.
Mix sour cream and horseradish and pour over almond mixture.
Sprinkle top with bread crumbs; drizzle melted butter over top.
Bake in preheated oven at 350F degrees for 10 minutes or until top is brown.
Make sauce (recipe below) and serve over hot asparagus.

Sauce:

  • ¼ cup sauterne wine
  • 1 Tablespoon minced onion
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¾ Cup mayonnaise

Combine and mix together in top of double boiler; when hot serve over asparagus.