Get thee to your local farmers' market right about now and you'll be given ample opportunity to pick up some asparagus. I find it hard to resist as I pass by a market (those pencil thin stalks slip so easily into my bag) and usually end up making them for dinner that night.
A member of the lily family, asparagus is in season between February and June, and those of us in the North East start enjoying it now through the end of May.
When buying asparagus, look for firm, bright green stalks with tight tips. It's best cooked same day, but it will keep a few days tightly wrapped in the fridge. If you find your stems are tough, remove the outer layer with a vegetable peeler.
Asparagus is a great source of Folic Acid, a good source of thia min and vitamin C, and also contains vitamins A and B6 and iron.
One of my favorite preparations of asparagus is to lightly roast it with paramesan and top it with a poached egg and a little prosciutto. Recipe in the next post...
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yum
I did this weekend what the cheese monger did
except
maybe a little lemon and a dab of butter jumped in too
I cut off the ends and stand it up in water when I get home
but I've never waited more than a day or two to cook it
interesting to know that it would last longer, Josh
That roasted asparagus with parmesan and prosciutto sound absolutely delish! Can't wait for the recipe!
And screw my husband, who hates asparagus. We'll have it sometime this week.
Mmm.. asparagus, we've been on a month long run of it out here in California.
I just whipped up a dinner for my team (3 starters, 1 salad, 2 mains, 3 sides and 1 Chocolate Hazelnut tart) and had to include Asparagus on the menu.
I just did a simple recipe of steamed asparagus with a white truffle and white wine vinegar vinaigrette and thin curls of parm and lemon zest to finish. Kinda nice to be in a place where you can step aside and let the produce speak for itself.
Ooh I love asparagus, but I am in the same boat as Michelle, my boyfriend hates the stuff!!! I will have to sneak in the egg and prosciutto recipe this week though. I was talking with my mom who lives in OR on the weekend and they picked up a ton of asparagus at a local farm for 88 cents/pound!!! I love this time of year:)
I routinely keep asparagus in the fridge for up to five days with minimal ill effect. Am I alone in the phenomenon??
oh yum! just made asparagus for dinner tonight and it was delicious! it's a recipe i picked up at whole foods one day:
cut asparagus into pieces that are about an inch and a half in size. heat a skillet with toasted sesame oil and add asparagus when oil is hot and toss for about two minutes. add chopped scallions, salt, pepper, and sesame seeds and toss for another minute or two. it's delicious! really simple and great every time. if i can track down the exact recipe i'll post it here.
I'm a big fan of grilled asparagus, with just some salt and pepper. Simple and yummy
If you ever have the opportunity to pick asparagus yourself, go for it. (From an asparagus bed, of course!) You can eat it raw (though a rinse is in order) and it is pure heaven!
guido,
Yes, that's what I do too. It keeps much better that way.
I like to toss mine in a quality greek salad dressing prior to grilling. Optionally, dress with feta crumbles before serving.
Another fantastic yet INCREDIBLY easy way to prepare asperagus is to line a row of asperagus on a broiler pan, coat lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt...put under the broiler for a few moments...its fantastic