Different Ways of Preparing: Asparagus

My New Love is Asparagus. Yum!

Different Ways to Prepare:

Asparagus Cashew Rice Pilaf

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 1/4 cups uncooked jasmine rice
• 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup cashew halves

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Increase heat to medium, and stir in spaghetti, cooking until coated with the melted butter and lightly browned.
2. Stir onion and garlic into the saucepan, and cook about 2 minutes, until tender. Stir in jasmine rice, and cook about 5 minutes. Pour in vegetable broth. Season mixture with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and cook 20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed.
3. Place asparagus in a separate medium saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender but firm.
4. Mix asparagus and cashew halves into the rice mixture, and serve warm.

Baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed
• cooking spray
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Bake asparagus 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender.
4. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat, and stir in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. Pour over the baked asparagus to serve.

Pan-Fried Asparagus

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt

  DIRECTIONS

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook garlic in butter for a minute, but do not brown. Add asparagus, and cook for 10 minutes, turning asparagus to ensure even cooking.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed

Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

• 2 1/2 pounds fresh asparagus, washed & trimmed
• 2 T olive oil
• 1/2 t kosher salt
• 1/4 t black pepper
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lay them in a single layer on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and return to the oven for another minute or so.

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

• 1/2 pound prosciutto, sliced
• 1/2 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese, softened
• 12 spears fresh asparagus, trimmed

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. Spread prosciutto slices with Neufchatel cheese. Wrap slices around 2 or 3 asparagus spears. Arrange wrapped spears in a single layer on a medium baking sheet.
3. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until asparagus is tender.