Easy Peasy Chilled Asparagus Recipes

CHILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• I like asparagus al dente, slightly crunchy. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add salt until it tastes like mild seawater. How will you know? Take a little water with a spoon and taste it, then add the sugar.
• Prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl, large enough to hold the asparagus, with cold water. Add some ice cubes. Plunge the asparagus into the ice bath before cooking. This will help to bring any limp stalks back to life. Remove from the ice bath, plunge them into the boiling water and allow them to cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water, transferring them immediately to the same ice bath. Allow them to sit in the ice bath for a few minutes, swirling them gently in the water to assure they are all cooling quickly in the cold water.
• The most important step for this dish? Drying the stalks once they are removed from the ice bath. Taking care that no water gets into the final salad is the best way to assure that the maximum flavor will be enjoyed! Transfer the asparagus to a large plate or platter lined with a kitchen towel and refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey and mustard. Stir to blend. Whisk in the olive oil in an even, steady stream. When all of the oil has been integrated, taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• When ready to serve, remove the kitchen towel from the asparagus and simply toss the asparagus in the dressing to coat them completely. Arrange the stalks on plates and serve.

EASY ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Mix in onion and garlic, and season with salt, pepper, and lemon pepper. Cook and stir until tender. Place asparagus in the skillet, and cook 8 minutes, turning occasionally to coat with seasonings. Sprinkle wine into the skillet, and scrape up any browned bits.
• Transfer asparagus to a shallow dish. Drizzle with remaining mixture in skillet, and dust evenly with Parmesan cheese and crushed whole wheat crackers.

QUICK AND EASY BAKED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Spread asparagus out on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and black pepper evenly.
• Bake in the preheated oven until desired crispness, about 15 minutes.

EASY-PEASY CHILLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cut Asparagus approximately 3 inches off the ends.
• Steam until cooked but still somewhat firm.
• Drain water.
• While still warm,drizzle bottle dressing over top.
• Let it cool for a few minutes .
• Slice lemon into thin slices.
• Arrange Asparagus decoratively on platter with lemon slices and chopped parsley.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SESAME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in a large skillet of boiling, salted water until just crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
• Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well.
• Pat dry with paper towels.
• Arrange on a platter.
• Mix sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• (Asparagus and sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.) To serve, spoon dressing over asparagus, sprinkle with toasted sesame seed and serve.

CHILLED MARINATED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, oil, lemon juice and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Refrigerate until cool. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse in cold water., Place asparagus in a large resealable plastic bag; add marinade. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight, turning occasionally. Drain and discard marinade. Place asparagus on a serving plate; sprinkle with pecans.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add asparagus and onion and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add stock and sherry;reduce heat to medium, cover and cook until asparagus is tender, 2 to 3 minutes;remove from heat.
• Puree asparagus mixture in batches in blender or food mill;transfer to a non-metal container.
• Cover and chill several hours or overnight.
• Cook asparagus spears in boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes; pat dry.
• To serve, add half and half to soup to desired consistancy.
• Season with salt and white pepper.
• Garnish each serving with 2 asparagus spears and serve.

CHINESE CHILLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cut the asparagus into slices diagonally.
• Place in a saucepan and pour the boiling water over the asparagus.
• Return to a boil and cook for two minutes.
• Drain and cool under running cold water.
• Mix together the remaining ingredients and pour over the asparagus.
• Chill for 1/2 hour before serving.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH BASIL CREAM

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Add half the asparagus; cook, uncovered, just until crisp-tender, 2-4 minutes. Remove and immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry. Repeat with remaining asparagus. Arrange on a serving platter., Place mayonnaise, cream, 3 tablespoons basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor; cover and process until blended. Spoon over asparagus. Garnish with pine nuts, lemon peel and remaining 1 tablespoon basil.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMONY GARLIC DRESSING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together first five ingredients until smooth.
• Cover and chill until serving time.
• Boil asparagus for 5 minutes (until crisp-tender).
• Drain (I've served this dish hot by tossing the asparagus in the pan with the dressing and heating for 1-2 minutes at this point).
• Rinse with cold water and drain again.
• Cover and chill until serving time.
• To serve, gently toss asparagus spears with dressing.
• Sprinkle lightly with poppy seeds, if desired.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH PECANS

Steps:

• Snap off tough ends of asparagus. Remove scales from stalks with a vegetable peeler, if desired. Cook asparagus in boiling salted water to cover 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Place asparagus in a large heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag.
• Combine sugar and next 3 ingredients; pour over asparagus. Seal bag securely, and gently turn to coat. Marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour, turning once.
• Remove asparagus from marinade, reserving marinade. Place asparagus on a serving platter, and drizzle with reserved marinade. Sprinkle asparagus with toasted pecans and pepper.