There are thousands of recipes online for asparagus, everything from soup to sides. Sometimes I look for simple and easy recipes with very little steps involved that still produce a yummy side for my dinners. Here are some very simple asparagus recipes for you to try with your family from my home to yours.
Fried Asparagus
Using only the tender tops of the stalks, boil in water for 5 minutes or until tender-crisp. Make a mixture of flour and garlic salt or whatever spices you enjoy. Crack an egg into a separate bowl and beat. Now dip the asparagus tops into the egg then into the flour mixture. Drop into a deep frying pan with enough hot oil to cover the asparagus. Fry until golden colored. You can also do this in a deep fryer. Serve.
Asparagus Salad
Boil asparagus until tender. Drain and cool. Cut into pieces and combine with salad ingredients and top with your favorite dressing. French dressing seems to go well with asparagus.
BBQ Asparagus
Lay 4 to 5 pieces of asparagus on a square sheet of foil. Add a few pats of butter and minced garlic. You can also add a little salt and pepper to taste. Wrap the foil around the asparagus and seal like you would a potato. Place on preheated grill for 5 to 7 minutes, checking every 2 minutes or so until asparagus is tender. When serving, sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Asparagus can be wrapped with bacon, brushed with butter, and grilled over a low heat on the grill until tender.
Asparagus Soup
Melt about 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a large pot, add 1 medium chopped onion. Saute for 2 minutes add 1 to 2-pounds of asparagus, cut in half to the pot and add 6 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer about 25 minutes. I add salt and pepper when it starts simmering but that is an optional step. Once the asparagus is tender, add 3 tablespoons of sour cream and puree with a hand-held blender. An immersion blender works well here. When it reaches a thicker consistency, serve with grated parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
Asparagus in Garlic Butter Sauce
This is an easy and quick fix side. Heat up a skillet on medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Add 3 to 4 cloves of minced garlic and saute until the garlic is browned. Add asparagus that has had the tough ends cut off, sprinkle with salt and pepper and saute until the asparagus is tender. Serve.
Just because you don’t have a lot of time doesn’t mean you can’t make a tasty simple dish at home. All of these simple asparagus recipes are quick and easy and packed full of flavor. I hope you enjoyed and tried some or all of these recipes in your home. Do you have a simple recipe for a side dish using asparagus? Please share it with our readers!
If you find yourself with an abundance of asparagus and don’t know how to preserve it for the future, check out Preparing and Preserving Asparagus. If you are interested in growing asparagus you might want to read Growing Asparagus on the Homestead.