What you need to know about asparagus and how to cook it: 3 simple recipes

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Asparagus season is in full swing. In addition to its fresh taste, asparagus is known for its useful properties and is extremely easy to prepare. We have selected for you several simple recipes for cooking asparagus, with the help of which you can bake, boil, fry and even cook asparagus in a microwave oven. What is asparagus? Asparagus is a well-known spring vegetable. Seasonality makes asparagus a rather expensive product, so it is in May-June that you should have time to enjoy its taste. Photo: AntonMatyukha/Depositphotos On the shelves you can find white and green asparagus, which are actually representatives of the same species. The difference lies in the method of cultivation: green shoots grow above the surface of the earth, white – below it. In Italy, a variety of purple asparagus was bred, the shoots of which contain plant dyes anthocyanins. Asparagus is sometimes confused with green beans, which are a different type of plant. The world has long appreciated this product and used it not only for cooking, but also for the manufacture of medicines. In medicine, asparagus was used in China, Korea, Greece and India. Read also: 100 super useful products What useful properties does asparagus hide? Photo: anitasstudio/Depositphotos Nutrients in asparagus support heart and bone health and may be beneficial during pregnancy. Asparagus is rich in folic acid, also known as vitamin B9. Folic acid is an essential nutrient and is beneficial for growth, for example during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence. Scientists believe that folic acid can also reduce the risk of depression. The high fiber content in asparagus helps lower blood pressure and lower the amount of low-density lipoproteins (that is, reducing “bad” cholesterol in the blood). The fiber and water in asparagus also help support normal digestion. The presence of potassium and antioxidants in asparagus contribute to the health of the cardiovascular system. Asparagus contains phosphorus, iron, vitamin K and calcium, which support bone health and prevent osteoporosis. It is interesting that asparagus can affect the smell of urine just a few minutes after its consumption. It’s not about harming the body, just be prepared for it. Read also: Which foods are good for heart health and which foods should be avoided Secrets of cooking asparagus Asparagus can be prepared in many ways – grilled or pan-fried, steamed, boiled or baked. The method of its preparation depends only on your desire. So don’t delay! We have collected information on how to properly prepare asparagus and add freshness to your table. Processing asparagus before cooking Asparagus must be washed and trimmed before cooking. The quickest and easiest way is to hold the shoot by the ends and bend it until it breaks somewhere in the middle. Or cut off the bottom edge (1.5-2 cm). The upper part of the shoot is quite tender and will be easy to eat. Try peeling the asparagus for less waste and an elegant presentation. Use a vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife to remove the skin from the bottom half of each stem. This will give you asparagus with a light green lower end. Photo: molka/Depositphotos How and how much to cook asparagus? You need to cook asparagus for 1-4 minutes until ready, depending on the thickness. In order for the asparagus to have a fresh green color after cooking, drain the hot water and completely cool the shoots in ice water. This is the perfect way to cook asparagus if you will be serving it chilled. Remove the asparagus from the ice water and drain. This cooking method is best suited for serving cold asparagus or adding to salads. How to steam asparagus? Asparagus is usually steamed whole stalks, but can be cut into pieces if desired. Place the asparagus on a steamer rack and place over boiling water. Cover and cook until the asparagus is tender, 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus stalks. Steamed asparagus is often served with a little butter and salt. You can add ready asparagus to the salad. Photo: Patryk_Kosmider/Depositphotos How to cook asparagus in the oven? Spray the asparagus with oil to prevent it from drying out in the oven. Put the cleaned asparagus in an oven heated to 180 degrees. Cook the dish until brown and soft. Sprinkle with salt and squeeze the lemon juice over the asparagus before serving. “The time depends on how young and large the asparagus is, as well as on the desired structure: if you like crispness, do not bake it for more than 8 minutes, if it is softer, you need 10-11 minutes,” writes chef Yevhen Klopotenko. Photo: THPStock/Depositphotos Asparagus in the microwave You didn’t think – even with such an easy method you can cook asparagus. Simply place the asparagus in a baking dish, add 2 tablespoons of water, cover, and microwave on high until the stalks are tender (2-3 minutes). Let the asparagus stand under the lid for about 3 more minutes. How to cook asparagus in a pan? Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When it heats up, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Put pre-cleaned asparagus in the pan. Asparagus will sizzle when it hits a hot surface. Shake the pan occasionally until the asparagus is soft and browned on all sides (about 5-10 minutes). Sprinkle the asparagus with salt and, if desired, lemon juice or zest. Serve the dish hot or warm. Photo: VadimVasenin/Depositphotos 3 recipes for preparing dishes with asparagus Asparagus baked with garlic and mushrooms Ingredients: 500 grams of asparagus 250 grams of chopped mushrooms 3 tablespoons of olive oil 3 cloves of minced garlic salt, to taste ground black pepper, to taste Preparation: Preheat the oven up to 220 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet or pan with a rim. Cut the cleaned asparagus into pieces. Toss the asparagus and mushrooms in a large bowl with the olive oil and garlic. Arrange the vegetables in the prepared baking dish. Season the asparagus and mushrooms with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Roast for 12-15 minutes, until the asparagus is tender and browned. Serve hot. Photo: fahrwasser/Depositphotos Sauteed Asparagus with Bacon Ingredients: 3 slices of sliced ​​bacon 1 ½ teaspoons of butter 500 grams of fresh asparagus, cut into pieces 1 medium onion, finely chopped Salt, to taste ground black, to taste 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese Preparation : Place the bacon on a heated pan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until crispy. Do not forget to stir. Drain the excess fat from the pan. Add the butter to the pan and let it melt. Add chopped asparagus and onion. Season the dish with salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the asparagus mixture to a plate and sprinkle with Parmesan. Photo: repinanatoly/Depositphotos Eggs Benedict with asparagus and Hollandaise sauce Ingredients: For eggs and asparagus: 2 eggs 2 slices of bread for toasting 200 g asparagus 30 g butter 20 g butter (for bread) For Hollandaise sauce: 3 egg yolks 60 g butter butter 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice 1 tsp. water 1 pinch of salt Photo: raptorcaptor/Depositphotos Preparation: Asparagus Clean the asparagus and blanch for 1 minute. Transfer to cold water and then to a paper towel. Then fry the asparagus in 30 g of butter for 1 minute, adding a little salt. Eggs Benedict Boil water in a small saucepan. Break an egg into a sieve and send it to boil in water for 2 minutes. Remove the egg with a slotted spoon on a paper towel and repeat the procedure with the second egg. Hollandaise Sauce Place a bowl over a saucepan of boiling water so that it does not touch the water. In a small bowl, mix the egg yolks, water and lemon juice. Place the bowl over the saucepan and stir with a whisk. When the yolks thicken to the consistency of sour cream, add the melted butter. Cook the sauce for another 1 minute in a water bath, stirring constantly, then remove the bowl from the pot and continue to stir the sauce for another 1 minute, add salt to taste. Photo: mrsiraphol/Depositphotos How to serve the dish: Toast 2 pieces of bread in a pan with butter. Cut the asparagus in half. Place the asparagus on top of the toast, the egg on top and pour Hollandaise sauce over it. Read also: How to cook beans? 6 original bean recipes

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