In the culinary world, asparagus spears stand out as a delectable delicacy, often gracing the finest dinner tables and cocktail parties. Their slender, crisp texture and subtly sweet flavor make them a versatile ingredient, capable of transforming simple dishes into culinary masterpieces. This article presents a curated collection of asparagus spear recipes, each offering a unique culinary experience that showcases the vegetable's inherent charm. From the classic roasted asparagus with a hint of garlic and lemon to the tantalizing asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and baked to perfection, these recipes promise to elevate your next gathering, whether it's an intimate brunch or an elaborate dinner party. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that celebrates the beauty and versatility of asparagus spears.
Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!
ASPARAGUS APPETIZER - SPEAR ECSTASY
This is a wonderful light apetizer. I served it at a luncheon and all asked for the recipe. My son-in-law did the "taste test" for me and wanted any left-overs. (Re the capers listed below: it does take 1 tbsp PLUS 1 tsp, drained and chopped) Recipe from Food Network.
Provided by Thellie
Categories Vegetable
Time 33m
Yield 40 spears, 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- To make Dipping Sauce: Mix well the sour cream, mayo, onion, lemon juice, capers, tarragon, onion powder, sugar and pepper together using a whisk.
- Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
- Steam asparagus until fork tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Mix Ice Bath together in large bowl. Plunge asparagus into ice water and let sit until cold.
- (I personally skipped the water bath and just let steamed asparagus drain in colander until cooled.) Transfer to paper towel to drain.
- Refrigerate.
- Serve chilled asparagus with dipping sauce.
- Note Do Ahead tips: The dipping sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and regrigerated. The asparagus can be prepared 1 day in advance and refrigerated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 64.5, Fat 5.6, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 9.1, Sodium 351.1, Carbohydrate 3.3, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.9, Protein 0.8
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
ASPARAGUS APPETIZERS
A wonderful appetizer to have on hand that can be made ahead of time, frozen, and used as needed.
Provided by DALEPFEFFER
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Vegetable
Time 1h45m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Trim crusts from bread, and flatten slightly with a rolling pin.
- In a bowl, stir blue and cream cheeses together with the egg until well blended and creamy. Spread a thin layer of cheese mixture over each slice of bread. Roll one asparagus spear inside each, and fasten with a toothpick.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan. Roll each asparagus wrap in butter to coat. Place on a baking sheet small enough to fit into the freezer, and freeze for one hour, or until butter hardens and wraps are somewhat firm. Remove pan from freezer, discard toothpicks, and cut each wrap in half crosswise. Store in a resealable plastic bag in the freezer until ready to use.
- To serve, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
- Arrange frozen asparagus wraps on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Check occasionally, and turn if necessary, for even browning and to prevent burning. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 462.5 calories, Carbohydrate 18.6 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Fat 40.3 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 8.3 g, SaturatedFat 24.9 g, Sodium 650.6 mg, Sugar 2 g
PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS SPEARS
Categories Cheese Mustard Vegetable Appetizer Cocktail Party Easter Wedding Condiment Ham Asparagus Spring Shower Prosciutto Party Boil Gourmet Sugar Conscious Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added
Yield Makes 30 hors d'oeuvresand count on at least 3 per person!
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Trim the asparagus stalks so that the spears are 5 inches long. In a deep skillet bring 1 1/2 inches salted water to a boil and cook the asparagus until they are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. In a colander drain the asparagus and rinse under cold water. Drain the asparagus well on paper towels.
- In a bowl mash the Boursin with a fork until it is smooth. Cut 1 slice of prosciutto lengthwise into 1-inch strips and spread each strip with about 1/2 teaspoon Boursin. Spread about 1/4 teaspoon mustard over the Boursin and wrap each strip in a spiral around an asparagus spear, trimming any excess. Make more hors d'oeuvres with the remaining prosciutto, Boursin, mustard, and asparagus spears in the same manner.
CRUNCH CRAZY ASPARAGUS SPEARS
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Prepare the asparagus by trimming off the tough woody stem.
- Set up a breading station by whipping the egg whites and mayonnaise together (the mayonnaise helps the whites stick to the asparagus). Sprinkle with some salt and pepper.
- In a separate, dish add the panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning and paprika. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and mix. Dip each asparagus spear in the egg wash and then coat evenly in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Place the spears on a wire rack over a baking sheet and lightly drizzle with some olive oil (this will help them crisp up).
- Bake until golden and crispy, 15 to 17 minutes. Serve immediately.
ASPARAGUS SPEARS WITH SESAME
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 to 8 small servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, white wine vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. Set aside.
- Prepare an ice bath: Fill a large bowl halfway with ice cubes and add some cold water. Place a colander squarely inside the ice bath. The colander will keep you from having to pick the asparagus out from amongst the ice cubes in the ice bath.
- Add salt until the boiling water tastes like seawater. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes - you want them to be crunchy. If the asparagus are thin, cook for only 1 minute. Remove the asparagus from the water with a strainer and transfer them to the colander inside the ice bath. Allow them to cool completely for a few minutes and then place them on a kitchen towel to drain any excess moisture.
- Toss the asparagus, sesame seeds, and the sauce together and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until ready to serve.
GRILLED ASPARAGUS SPEARS
Provided by Bob Blumer - Host of Surreal Gourmet and Glutton for Punishment
Categories side-dish
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Preheat a grill.
- Place asparagus on a plate. Drizzle oil over the asparagus and turn spears until they are coated. Sprinkle with salt and turn again.
- Grill asparagus for 5 minutes over a hot grill. Each minute or so, roll each spear 1/4 turn. Asparagus should begin to brown in spots (indicating that the natural sugars are caramelizing) but should it not be allowed to char. Dripping oil may cause flare-ups. Keep a glass, or spray bottle of water handy to spritz on coals, if necessary.
- Remove from grill and serve immediately (eating spears with your fingers enhances the experience).
PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS SPEARS
Categories Appetizer Asparagus Prosciutto Boil
Yield Makes 30 hors D¿oeuvres count on at least 3 per person!
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Trim the asparagus stalks so that the spears are 5 inches long. In a deep skillet, bring 1 1/2 inches of salted water to a boil and cook the asparagus until they are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. in a colander, drain the asparagus and rinse under cold water. Dry the asparagus well on paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mash the Boursin with a fork until it is smooth. Cut 1 slice of prosciutto lengthwise into 1-inch strips and spread each strip with about 1/2 teaspoon Boursin. Spread about 1/4 teaspoon mustard over the Boursin and wrap each strip in a spiral around an asparagus spear, trimming any excess. Make more hors d'oeuvres with the remaining prosciutto, Boursin, mustard, and asparagus spears in the same manner.
ROASTED ASPARAGUS SPEARS
The tips of roasted asparagus should be just crisp and the stalks golden brown and tender.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes Dinner Side Dishes
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spread out asparagus spears in a large shallow roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Shake roasting pan gently so asparagus is completely coated in oil.
- Roast in oven until spears are just tender. Cooking time will depend on thickness of asparagus, about 10 minutes for medium-thick asparagus. Pencil asparagus will take much less time; thick stalks will take more. Shake pan halfway through cooking time to keep spears from sticking. Just before serving, drizzle asparagus with olive oil and adjust seasoning.
PAN-FRIED ASPARAGUS
This garlic asparagus dish is a Northern Italian side dish. My family loves it! Even the kids!
Provided by Kim
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Asparagus
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook garlic in butter for a minute, but do not brown. Add asparagus, and cook for 10 minutes, turning asparagus to ensure even cooking.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 187.8 calories, Carbohydrate 5.2 g, Cholesterol 30.5 mg, Fat 18.4 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.3 g, Sodium 524.6 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
BUTTER-BRAISED ASPARAGUS
For the first-of-the-season asparagus, keep it simple with butter, lemon and sweet herbs. For the best texture, peeling the stalks really makes a difference.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories easy, quick, vegetables, side dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Snap off and discard the tough bottoms of the asparagus spears. If using large, thick asparagus, peel the lower ends with a vegetable peeler.
- Put butter in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus in one layer and season with salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup water, cover, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the asparagus is firm-tender, about 3 minutes. Take care not to overcook them; they should still be bright green. (They will continue to cook a bit once the heat is off.) Remove the asparagus from the pan and place on a serving platter.
- Turn heat to high and simmer briskly until most of the liquid has evaporated, a minute or so. Add lemon juice and zest to the buttery juices. Turn off heat and stir in chives, parsley, tarragon and dill, if using. Check seasoning. Spoon the sauce over the asparagus, garnish with a few herb leaves, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 190, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 467 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 1 gram
ASPARAGUS APPETIZER ROLL-UPS
This is a wonderful warm appetizer for springtime entertaining. It's perfect for showers and also makes a tasty first course for Easter dinner.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 25m
Yield 1 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, bacon and green onion. Flatten bread slices with a rolling pin; spread tops with cream cheese mixture. Trim asparagus 2 in. longer than bread. Place two spears on each slice; roll up bread and place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Brush with butter; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. , Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts :
Tips:
- Choose fresh, bright green asparagus spears for the best flavor.
- Trim the asparagus spears by snapping off the tough ends.
- Blanch the asparagus spears in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp.
- Immediately transfer the asparagus spears to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their bright green color.
- Pat the asparagus spears dry before assembling the appetizers.
- Use high-quality ingredients for the fillings, such as fresh herbs, cheeses, and meats.
- Get creative with the fillings! There are endless possibilities, so have fun and experiment.
- If you are making the appetizers ahead of time, store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.
Conclusion:
Asparagus spears are a delicious and versatile appetizer that can be enjoyed in many different ways. With their bright green color and crisp texture, they are perfect for spring and summer gatherings. Whether you are looking for a simple and elegant appetizer or something more creative and elaborate, there is sure to be an asparagus spear recipe that you will love. So next time you are looking for a healthy and delicious appetizer, give asparagus spears a try!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love