**Roasted, Broiled, or Grilled Asparagus: A Comprehensive Guide to Cooking Asparagus**
Asparagus, a spring vegetable known for its vibrant green spears and delicate flavor, is a versatile ingredient that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Whether you prefer the caramelized goodness of roasted asparagus, the smoky flavor of grilled asparagus, or the simplicity of broiled asparagus, this article has you covered. We'll guide you through each cooking method, providing detailed instructions, tips, and tricks to ensure perfectly cooked asparagus every time. From classic preparations to creative variations, our recipes will inspire you to elevate this humble vegetable into a culinary masterpiece. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven or grill, and let's embark on a journey to discover the best ways to cook asparagus.
**Introducing the Three Cooking Methods:**
1. **Roasted Asparagus:** Experience the magic of roasted asparagus, where high heat caramelizes the natural sugars, resulting in tender-crisp spears with a delightful roasted flavor.
2. **Broiled Asparagus:** Discover the simplicity of broiled asparagus, where direct heat from the broiler quickly chars the spears, creating a smoky flavor and a beautiful blistered exterior.
3. **Grilled Asparagus:** Embark on a grilling adventure with asparagus, where the smoky essence of the grill infuses each bite with a captivating flavor. Whether you use a charcoal or gas grill, grilled asparagus is a summertime favorite.
OVEN-ROASTED ASPARAGUS
Salty and savory, the roasting method kills the natural bitterness of asparagus. Try it next to grilled fish or lamb.
Provided by swedishmilk
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Asparagus Baked
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat the spears, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Arrange the asparagus onto a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. Sprinkle with lemon juice just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 123 calories, Carbohydrate 5.2 g, Cholesterol 1.7 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 3.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 471.4 mg, Sugar 2.2 g
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST GRILLED ASPARAGUS
Tender and sweet, grilled asparagus is the perfect healthy 15-minute side dish for any meal. Use thicker asparagus spears for easy grilling.
Provided by Heidi
Categories Side Dish
Time 9m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat the grill to medium heat, about 350° to 400°F, and brush the grill grates clean.
- Remove the woody ends of the asparagus by snapping the ends off. Bend each stalk gently about 2/3 of the way down the stalk until it naturally breaks where the woody part begins. If desired, use a knife to trim the ends of the stalks to tidy up the cuts. Discard the ends.
- Place the asparagus spears in a shallow bowl or on a platter or baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss the spears with your hands to coat. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and toss again.
- Place the asparagus across the grill grates perpendicular to the bars. Grill with the lid closed for 6 to 10 minutes or until the spears are tender and crisp. Use tongs to roll the spears for even grill marks.
- Transfer to a platter and if desired, drizzle with more olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 54 kcal, Carbohydrate 5 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 4 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 584 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PERFECT ROASTED ASPARAGUS
Learn how to make perfectly roasted asparagus here! This roasted asparagus recipe is a fantastic springtime side dish that everyone will love. You can season it however you'd like. You'll find my seasoning suggestions below. Recipe yields 2 large or 4 modest side servings.
Provided by Cookie and Kate
Categories Side Dish
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus (if you sharply bend the asparagus near the base, it will snap in the right place). Discard the ends.
- Place the asparagus on the sheet and drizzle with 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil, just enough to lightly coat the asparagus. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the asparagus, and toss until the spears are lightly coated in oil. Arrange the spears in a single layer on the pan.
- Bake just until the base of the asparagus is easily pierced through by a fork. Very thin asparagus, like the kind shown here, will take as little as 9 to 12 minutes, whereas thicker asparagus will need 15 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer the roasted asparagus to a serving platter and season however you'd like. You could keep it simple with a squeeze of lemon juice, or a sprinkle of Parmesan, or add a pat of butter or drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
- Roasted asparagus is best served when it's fresh out of the oven, but it will keep at room temperature for up to 1 hour or up to 4 days in the refrigerator (gently reheat before serving).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 33 calories, Sugar 2.1 g, Sodium 147.5 mg, Fat 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 4.7 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 2.3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
ROASTED ASPARAGUS
For a simple side dish, try Ina Garten's Roasted Asparagus from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network; the recipe uses only asparagus, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Break off the tough ends of the asparagus and, if they're thick, peel them. Place the asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, then toss to coat the asparagus completely. Spread the asparagus in a single layer and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Roast the asparagus for 25 minutes, until tender but still crisp.
BROILED ASPARAGUS
Steps:
- Snap off the ends of 2 bunches thin asparagus; discard. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Broil until slightly charred, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a platter and drizzle with red wine vinegar and olive oil. Top with shaved asiago.
BROILED ASPARAGUS PARMESAN
This is a tasty fresh vegetable dish ready in 15 minutes. The asparagus stays nice and green when steamed in the microwave or steamer if you prefer. The parmesan gives it a little extra flavor.
Provided by Judith Gollatz-Morgan
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Asparagus Baked
Time 13m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place asparagus and water in 8x8 inch microwave-safe dish and cover.
- Heat in microwave on high until tender, 6 to 7 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
- Remove asparagus from dish and place in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Squeeze lemon wedge into melted butter and drizzle over asparagus.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and ground white pepper over asparagus.
- Place under broiler until lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 96.6 calories, Carbohydrate 5.1 g, Cholesterol 19.7 mg, Fat 7.3 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 4.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 120 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PARMESAN
Asparagus is a yummy vegetable you can use for a side dish or appetizer.
Provided by Diane
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Asparagus Baked
Time 20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Spray the inside of a 9x13 casserole dish with olive oil cooking spray. Place asparagus in the dish and lightly spray spears with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle asparagus with Parmesan cheese, sea salt, and garlic powder.
- Roast in preheated oven until fork easily punctures thickest part of stem, about 12 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 46 calories, Carbohydrate 4.7 g, Cholesterol 4.4 mg, Fat 1.7 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 660.1 mg, Sugar 2.2 g
GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON DRESSING
Although steamed asparagus has an unmatched purity of taste, I love the earthy, charred flavor added by the grill, a flavor that can also be achieved with stove-top pan grilling, which combines high heat and a dry, heavy skillet.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories side dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus; most spears will break an inch or two from the bottom. Peel the stalks up to the flower bud. Meanwhile, start a charcoal fire or heat a gas grill; if you're cooking indoors, heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it smokes.
- To grill the asparagus spears, toss them with about a tablespoon of oil, mixing with your hands until spears are coated. Season well with salt and pepper. Grill until tender and browned in spots, turning once or twice, in all 5 to 10 minutes.
- To pan grill the asparagus, do not oil or season them. Just toss them in the hot skillet, and cook, turning the spears individually as they brown, until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove as they finish, and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix together the lemon juice and shallots, then stir in enough olive oil to add a little body and take the edge off the sharpness of the lemon; the mixture should still be strong. Season it well with salt and plenty of black pepper, and stir in the parsley. Serve the asparagus hot or at room temperature with grilled fish. Spoon the sauce over everything.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 119, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 13 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 600 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams
GRILLED OR ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH BALSAMIC
These asparagus can be grilled or roasted in the oven. A simple balsamic reduction tops them off. From the tag off the asparagus.
Provided by cookiedog
Categories Vegetable
Time 20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Toss the asparagus with shallot, oil, 1/8 tsp salt and pepper. Roast or grill turning twice, until tender and browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Bring vinegar and the remaining 1/8 teaspoons salt to a simmer in a small skillet over medium-high heat until slightly syrupy and toss the asparagus with the reduced vinegar.
Tips:
- Choose the right asparagus: Look for asparagus spears that are bright green, firm, and have tightly closed tips.
- Trim the asparagus: Cut off the tough, woody ends of the asparagus spears.
- Wash the asparagus: Rinse the asparagus spears thoroughly under cold water.
- Dry the asparagus: Use a paper towel to pat the asparagus spears dry.
- Use good quality olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice for roasting, broiling, or grilling asparagus.
- Season the asparagus: Sprinkle the asparagus spears with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
- Cook the asparagus until tender: The asparagus should be tender but still have a slight crunch.
- Serve the asparagus immediately: Asparagus is best served hot or warm.
Conclusion:
Roasted, broiled, or grilled asparagus is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be enjoyed all year round. The key to cooking asparagus is to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and to cook it until tender but still slightly crunchy. With a little practice, you'll be able to cook asparagus like a pro!
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