Asparagus is a healthy and delicious vegetable that can be served in a variety of ways. While asparagus is usually considered the freshest in the spring, it can be obtained all year round. Boiling asparagus is a simple and quick way to add good nutrition to your diet.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing the Asparagus
Step 1. Buy fresh asparagus
The most important step in this method is choosing the asparagus to use. Fresh asparagus should have the following qualities:
- Bright green stems.
- Ends that don't wither.
- Sturdy, not soft.
- Get a bunch of asparagus with stem sizes that don't vary much. That way, everything can be cooked evenly.
Step 2. Clean the asparagus
Clean the asparagus under cold running water, either holding it straight or placing it in a colander first. Prioritize the edges as sand or dust may get trapped in them.
Step 3. Trim the bottom of the asparagus
Although the top is soft, the bottom of the asparagus is tough. The base of asparagus is hard like wood. Remove the parts before cooking the asparagus.
- Grip the asparagus at the base and center.
- Bend the asparagus until it breaks naturally at the point where the soft and hard parts separate.
- Place the broken asparagus stalks on the table. Line the remaining whole asparagus stalks behind the chopped stalks to measure the length of the stalks to be cut.
- Use a knife to cut off the tough ends of the remaining asparagus at the same time.
- For thicker asparagus, trim the bottom of the stem so it's the same width as the top. This way, the asparagus will cook evenly.
Step 4. Scrape off the asparagus scales
This step is not mandatory, but you can do it so that no film on the side of the rod gets stuck between the teeth. Use a vegetable peeler to scrape off the asparagus scales.
Step 5. Store the asparagus until you are ready to cook it
If you don't want to cook it right away, save the asparagus to keep it fresh. There are two ways to store asparagus. Both methods can keep asparagus fresh for up to 4 days.
- Wrap the asparagus stalks in a damp paper towel. After that, put the asparagus in a plastic bag, close it tightly, then store it in the refrigerator.
- Fill a cup or container with 2.5 cm of water. Place the asparagus stalks in the container, with the bottom down. Cover the top of the container with a plastic bag, then store in the refrigerator.
Part 2 of 2: Boiling Asparagus
Step 1. Prepare a large skillet or frying pan
The skillet used must be large enough to hold the asparagus in an upright position, not bent, and not broken.
Step 2. Add the asparagus to the pan
You should line up each asparagus stick side by side, not overlapping each other. That way, the asparagus can cook evenly.
Step 3. Fill the pan with water to cover the asparagus
You can add water up to 2.5 cm above the thick stem, or at least 1 cm above if the asparagus used is very thin.
Step 4. Add 1/16 to 1/8 teaspoon salt for taste
Sprinkle a little salt in the pan. This step is not mandatory and you can skip this step if you do not like the taste of salt or are prohibited from consuming salt.
Step 5. Heat the water to a boil
Turn on the heat, then wait for the water to boil. Put the lid on the pan so the water heats up faster.
Step 6. Let the asparagus simmer for 3 to 5 minutes
After the water boils, reduce the heat, and let the water boil a little. Keep the pan covered while you cook the asparagus.
Make sure that you watch the asparagus so it doesn't overcook. Perfectly ripe asparagus has a bright green color and a crunchy texture. Overcooked asparagus will become very mushy and dark green in color. If the asparagus begins to darken, turn off the heat and remove the asparagus from the pan
Step 7. Drain the water
Carefully pour the water into the sink. To make it easier, you can drain the water from the asparagus using a strainer.
Step 8. Serve the asparagus
Asparagus can be served hot or cold. There are various ways to enjoy freshly boiled asparagus, for example by adding salt, pepper, olive oil, or lemon juice.
