Six Delicious Asparagus Recipes to Make This Spring

Spring is finally here and this means that very soon a bounty of young asparagus bundles will be making their yearly debut at the markets! The season for this versatile vegetable extends from spring all the way until early summer, which is great because today I am sharing six delicious asparagus recipes that you will want to make during these few short months!

How to select and store asparagus

Asparagus comes in different sizes with some thicker and some pencil thin. Thicker asparagus is best for roasting and grilling whereas thinner asparagus is ideal for pan searing and steaming. Once you decide which kind you want, make sure that the spears are not limp and that the tips of the spears are tight, with a bright green and purple color.

After you buy asparagus, trim and toss the tough, fibrous ends and then place the spears in a jar with some water, the way you would with flowers. If you store asparagus like that, it will last easily for up to five days in your refrigerator.

How to prep asparagus

Asparagus is one of few vegetables that require very little cleanup and prep. All it takes is removing the woody ends by snapping off about an inch from the bottom of each spear. For thicker asparagus, you might need to remove some of the outer skin of the spears, from the base to about halfway up the spear, which is easy enough to do using a vegetable peeler.

How to cook asparagus

Asparagus is a very versatile vegetable and so easy to incorporate into your recipes. You can steam it, blanch it, simmer it, roast it, grill it, sautée it, stir fry or, just eat it raw in salads, like this one, by my friend Ali. You really cannot go wrong with any of these methods. If you want a quick side dish, just pan roast it with a little olive oil, salt and pepper; this is the simplest way to cook it and enjoy tender and slightly caramelized asparagus.

Asparagus is perfect for breakfast or brunch in the form of a frittata, a galette, or a quiche–the combination of asparagus and eggs is a timeless spring combination. Asparagus is also a great addition to a spring risotto, such as the one linked below. If you are looking for a side dish recipe, the asparagus gremolata and the steamed asparagus with radishes and deviled eggs are two more popular preparations which you will are going to love!