How Long do you Cook Asparagus

Today’s commonly asked question is about asparagus:

How Long Do You Cook Asparagus?

There is no correct answer to this question unfortunately.   This really is a matter of personal preference.  I personally like my vegetables with a little snap to them, so I do not really cook my asparagus that long.

I  see many people cooking their asparagus until its soft and wilting.  Personally, I think this is a crime, but if you prefer your veggies this way, then by all means, cook it to death.  Remember though….  The longer you cook your vegetables, the less nutrients they will have.

The length of time you cook your asparagus also depends on the type of cooking method.

There are three ways that I personally like to cook fresh asparagus and by far the best in my opinion: parboiling, roasting and grilling.

First things First - Prepare the Asparagus

Before you cook your asparagus, there needs to be some simple preparation. You need to first wash your asparagus to remove any dirt or other particles.  Then you need to cut your asparagus if it has not already been cut for you.  Cutting your asparagus is a must.  There is a very tough part that is not edible and needs to be removed.

I have included a short video that demonstrates how to do this below:

Parboiling or Blanching

Blanching or parboiling asparagus is a very easy and quick way to prepare this delicious vegetable. All you need to do is add some water to a pot and bring it to a boil.  Once the water has been brought to a boil, add the asparagus. Allow the water to boil again and cook for several minutes.  You may want to cut the long stalks in half so you can easily fit them in your pot. After a few minutes, I will take a piece of asparagus out and taste to see if it is done to my liking.  Once done, strain and rinse under cold water.

Roasting

Roasting asparagus is another very simple cooking method.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.   Lay out your prepared asparagus on a baking dish and pour on some olive oil.  Toss the veggies to make sure they are evenly coated with oil.  Sprinkle on some salt, pepper and garlic powder and toss again to coat the asparagus with the spices.  Lay out the spears evenly in a single layer and place in the oven.  Roast for approximately 8-10 minutes or until they are slightly browned and tender.

Recipe for Roasted Asparagus with Garlic

How to Grill Asparagus

This is probably my favorite method for cooking asparagus. This is another simple method but does require a bit more attention as you can burn your veggies if you do not keep an eye on them. This cooking method does provide the most flavor in my opinion. I like to use a grilling basket.  It just makes it easier to cook the spears in my opinion.   Heat up the grill and get it nice and hot. Coat the asparagus with olive oil and spices and grill over high heat for 5 minutes or so turning each spear occasionally.  The asparagus is done when slightly browned and tender.

Well there you have it.  I hope I have answered your question:  How Long do you Cook Asparagus?

Please enjoy and happy cooking!

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