Why you shouldn't cut the ends off asparagus?

It is not necessary to trim asparagus. On some spears, especially fresh, pencil-thin stalks, the woody ends may tenderize once cooked . But on larger stalks, the ends of the asparagus are often woody and dense—Which makes them difficult to chew, no matter how soft the asparagus is after cooking.

How do you cook asparagus so it isn't tough?

Set a pan of salted water to a boil, add the asparagus and cook, covered, until the spears are tender . How long this will take depends on their thickness. Medium-thin to medium spears will take about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 minutes, jumbos a bit longer.

What cooking method is best for asparagus?

Thin asparagus is great for stir fries and sautéing . Fat asparagus is good for roasting or grilling, and best when you want to serve whole spears, even simply steamed. Medium spears work in almost any cooking method.

Why do you soak asparagus in water?

I soak all asparagus first in cold water. I trim the ends and then rinse the stalks and let them sit in cold water for five minutes. It hydrates the asparagus, and they cook more quickly, for they are already wet with some moisture within them .

How many stalks of asparagus should you eat?

For asparagus, a standard serving size is six medium spears , a 1/2 cup of pieces, or just over three ounces cooked.

What are 2 appropriate methods of cooking asparagus?

Try roasting, sauteing, grilling and more to bring out the flavor in this crowd-pleasing vegetable. The harbinger of very early spring, asparagus stays in season through the summer. Its elegant, snappy stalks stand up well to a variety of preparations, including roasting, steaming, sautéing and grilling.

How does Martha Stewart prepare asparagus?

Drizzle with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, toss to coat, then sprinkle with coarse salt, pepper, and a quarter cup of shredded Parmesan. Roast for 15 minutes in a 450°F oven until the cheese is melted and golden. That's it! This recipe is deceptively simple, but the genius is in the heat.

What are the 5 ways to cook asparagus?

Learn how to cook asparagus in six different ways: Boiling, steaming, oven-roasting, sauteing, broiling, and pan-roasting. Each method makes the tender green spears pop with flavor. The fibrous vegetable cooks up in minutes for a healthy side dish.

Why don't you eat the bottom of asparagus?

While the ends of asparagus are technically edible, Institute of Culinary Education chef-instructor Olivia Roszkowski notes that they're notoriously tough in texture and carry less flavor. They also take more time to cook through than the rest of the spear and tips.

Should I boil asparagus before cooking?

Boil the asparagus stalks in hot, salty water for 3 minutes. Then, immediately place the stalks in an ice water bath. Not only does this maintain the beautiful green color of the asparagus, but it gives you a headstart on cooking the veggies in the oven.

Should you rinse canned asparagus?

Before cooking canned asparagus, it's essential to drain and rinse it thoroughly . This step removes any excess liquid or brine, resulting in a better taste and texture. Simply open the can, pour the contents into a colander, and rinse the asparagus under cold water.

Should I cut the tops off my asparagus?

If you have issues with disease or insects, it's best to cut the tops off of your asparagus . You should not need to remove the entire fern. Before the new spears appear in spring, remove the old tops.

Why do you snap the ends off asparagus?

Asparagus stalks are famously tender at the tips and hard and woody at the ends , so nearly every recipe you'll find online starts with trimming those tough bases before cooking.

Asparagus with Bacon Recipe (So Easy) (2024)

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Asparagus with Bacon is the ultimate side dish. I mean, asparagus cooked in bacon grease?! What’s not to love?

Asparagus with Bacon Recipe (So Easy) (1)

Asparagus with bacon grease is a low-carb and gluten-free recipe that pairs well with just about any entree. In about 15 minutes, you can round out any meal with this crowd pleaser!

Asparagus with bacon is one of the best ways to get kids to get their veggies. Most young ones can’t get enough of this breakfast time favorite and are likely to hop on the veggie train if it’s involved.

We love the classic combination of bacon and asparagus so much that we included another variation of this recipe towards the bottom — bacon wrapped in asparagus! Both styles are delicious, so choose the one that appeals to you or make both! No judgments here…

Why Is Asparagus Healthy?

Asparagus is low in calories, high in fiber and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. From folate to vitamin K, this filling veggie should definitely be a regular on your shopping list. This is also a great option for those that are following a keto diet! Just make sure you opt for the high-quality stuff — uncured and nitrate-free is the way to go!

How Do You Trim Asparagus?

So, you went to the store and you have your bundle of asparagus. But how do you get your spears trimmed and ready for cooking? Follow these easy steps:

Rinse your asparagus under cool water.
Trim the spears by cutting off the tough, woody bottom-half with a sharp knife. You can also do this by snapping the woody part off with your hand — it should break off naturally.
Toss the ends and get to cookin’!

Asparagus with Bacon Recipe (So Easy) (2)

Asparagus with Bacon Recipe (So Easy) (3)

Asparagus with Bacon Recipe (So Easy) (4)

Asparagus with Bacon Recipe (So Easy) (5)

Steps To Making Asparagus with Bacon

Trim your asparagus per the above instructions. Then, cut the spears into smaller, 2-inch long pieces.
Prepare your bacon by cutting your strips into small pieces and frying it in a skillet until crispy and brown. We like to make our own bacon crisps, but feel free to buy precooked bacon or air fryer bacon you have made in advance.
Toss your asparagus, cooked bacon and garlic parsley salt all together in a bowl.
Spread the bacon and asparagus evenly over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Bake for 15 minutes at 350 ℉.

Wrap Asparagus in Bacon

This is another delicious way you can prepare asparagus with bacon! Instead of making bacon crisps, wrap each spear in a strip of bacon for a pretty presentation! Here’s how to do it:

Other Sides You Will Love

Bacon Brussels Sprouts Salad: This hot salad is one of my go-tos for hosting. Sometimes it gets gobbled up quicker than the main dish!
Air Fryer Potato Chips: Potato chips are such a guilty pleasure. But not these ones! Made in the air fryer, they have a fraction of the fat found in bagged varieties.
Oven Roasted Asparagus: If you are a bonafide asparagus lover, try this other popular recipe out!

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