Asparagus, how to...?

[Paula71]

I keep thinking I'd like to try asparagus, I know to cook it you just blanch it in boiling water but how do you actually prepare it?

Yes I am an idiot but does it need peeled?

STOP LAUGHING!!!!

Also any recipes to try would be welcomed!

Asparagus tips or the entire stalk, don't peel t just blanche, they are disgusting soggy

Don't you have to snap it to remove the woody bits? It apparently snaps naturally in the right place. I love asparagus but have never cooked it. Hang on, will ask Delia.

don't peel it - but break it at the natural point, i.e. hold it and snap it at the end which, will get rid of all the coarse bit. Then steam it (about 3-4 mins) and add a tiny bit of butter. Bon apetit!

A really great way to cook asparagus is on the barbecue. Snap the ends of, toss them in some olive oil, salt and pepper, and bbq until it gets a little bit charred.

You could do a similar thing by roasting it in the oven. I've never tried that though.

or on a griidle pan, as with leeks, yum

Delia says:

"Steaming is the only way to cook asparagus - its flavour is so deliacte I'm absolutely against ever putting it into water."

Trim stalks down to reasonable length (8-9 inches) which will remove most of woody bit, put in steamer, sprinkle with salt. Cook over simmering water for 8-12 mins depending on thickness of stalk. Meanwhile, heat up butter in pan til frothy, pour over cooked asparagus, serve with crusty bread.

Sounds yummy.

If Delia means steaming rather than boiling, then I agree, but there are MUCH better ways to cook it than that IMO.

5-6 minutes in boiling salted water and then straight into cold. Drain.
A new recipe I have tried twice over the weekend is mix 2 tbsps sunflower oil, 1 tbsps extra virgin olive oil, 1 & 1/2 tbsps cider or white wine vinegar, lots of fresh black pepper, mixture of freshly chopped mint & parsley. Just throw the dressing together and either serve the asparagus warm with the dressing over or marinade overnight and eat cold with chunky bread.

I have them every morning dipped in my boiled egg

roast it for 15 mins with tomatoes, olive oil and garlic

Paula, when you do try it (and it is delicious - and DS, 2 loves it because it is such a great finger food and dippable) don't be alarmed when your wee smells peculiarly chemical very soon after!

I have them steamed with a nice vinaigrette or some good mayo. YUM

Thanks to all!

I think I will definately get some (Lidl have fresh ones on special offer. And try out some of these recipes.

I'll see how ds twins like them too, they love all green veg including brussel sprouts! I'll give them some instead of toast soldiers for their next boiled egg!)

Thanks for the warning Blu!