Grilled asparagus

If you grew up eating boiled or steamed Asparagus, then you’ve been missing out. Many people are unaware of the incredible taste of Grilled Asparagus. This interesting vegetable has a mild and earthy taste that changes when it is cooked. When it is grilled, the high heat caramelizes the sugars in the Asparagus.

In Greece, ”Asparagos” means to spring up. It originated in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It grows in abundance alongside riverbanks and seashores. You can prepare this vegetable in several ways: sauté it, grill it, or roast it. In this recipe, we chose to sauté it.

Ingredients

Asparagus, Garlic cloves, Salt, Red pepper flakes, and Pepper.

Fresh asparagus is necessary. It is advisable to use the asparagus within two to three days of purchasing it from the market to ensure that is has a crisp taste. For this recipe, we’ve used fresh garlic cloves that were finely grated. Salt and Pepper were used as light seasoning. Red pepper flakes are non-essential and add a hint of colour to the dish.

Instructions

To prepare the grilled asparagus, it is essential to select fresh, bright green spears. Trim the woody parts of the asparagus and toss it into a bit of butter, on a grill pan set at medium-low temperature along with salt and pepper. Finely grate the garlic cloves.

Once the grilled asparagus has a light caramelization, add the finely grated garlic, sauté the minced garlic until it it is lightly browned. Cook on medium low heat for two minutes.

Lightly garnish the grilled asparagus with red pepper flakes for a subtle pop of heat. Add the caramelized garlic on top of the asparagus and serve. And that’s it! It is simple and easy to prepare. It offers a ton of flavour and makes a perfect accompaniment to your main meals.

Expert tips

Grilled asparagus has a naturally rich, buttery and creamy flavour when it is grilled. It requires minimal spices. However, if you would like to enhance the flavour of the asparagus, you can do so by adding onion powder, cajun spice and garlic powder. Parmesan cheese can also be added along with roasted nuts, it will add more crunchiness to this dish.

When it comes to asparagus, always choose the fresh asparagus. Avoid the wilted, limp-looking asparagus. Thinner stalks are more tender, while thicker stalks are more substantial when it comes to flavour. Always store the uncooked asparagus in the fridge. Some people choose to store asparagus in an upright jar with an inch of water; however, this process is not necessary if you use the asparagus within two to four days of purchasing it from the supermarket.

Remove the woody parts of the asparagus, typically located at the end of the asparagus; this is the hardest part, and you cannot chew it. If you are dealing with asparagus that is much thicker, you can always peel the bottom inch or two of the vegetable peeler. This will remove the outer layer.

How to Blanch Asparagus? It involves boiling water in a deep pan. Once your water is at a rolling boil, add salt to the water. Then, add the asparagus and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, remove and add to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. How to Steam Asparagus? Use a steamer basket that sits over a pot of boiling water; steam for 4 to 7 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

How to Roast Asparagus? In this method, coat the asparagus with olive oil and season it with spices such as salt and pepper. For a spicier flavour profile, consider sprinkling some paprika powder on your asparagus. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes or until caramelized. This technique will produce a sweeter side dish.

What to Serve with Grilled asparagus?

There are so many things to serve with this side dish! For a complete meal, consider serving the asparagus with a juicy Grilled Steak, creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. The combination of these dishes will create a memorable dining experience.

Grilled Asparagus can be served alongside fish, grilled chicken as well as different types of salads such as a light green salad or a Greek salad. Pasta dishes that are cream based also pair well with this dish, consider Sage butter pasta or Rose pasta.

How to Store Grilled Asparagus?

Store the grilled asparagus in an airtight container for three to five days in the fridge. To reheat, gently warm it in the oven or in the skillet. You can also enjoy this dish in salads or in wraps. Avoid using the microwave as it will make the asparagus soggy.