Ten Tips For Buying Green Asparagus
Asparagus are in season NOW, so here’s a guide to the Top Ten Tips for Buying Green Asparagus!
Print out this handy-dandy guide and take it with you to the farmers market or grocery store to help you find the perfect spears. I’ve also included a pretty terrific recipe for Asparagus with Lemony Breadcrumbs (see below the graphic).
Asparagus with Lemony Garlic Breadcrumbs
prep: 10 minutes
cook: 10 minutes
you’ll need…
1 pound asparagus
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
2 garlic cloves, finely minced or pushed through a garlic press
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
let’s get to it…
Trim asparagus ends and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add panko, minced garlic and salt and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from heat.
Whisk zest and lemon juice together in a small bowl until well blended. Stir the lemon mixture into the panko breadcrumbs; set aside.
Steam the asparagus in a microwave safe dish for 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook, they should be crisp-tender.
Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and serve immediately.
cooking know how: If you don’t have a microwave steamer, use kitchen string to tie asparagus into a bundle (you may have to make 2 small bundles). Place in 1-inch of water in a tall, covered saucepan and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes or until tender. You can also lay the asparagus on their sides and steam in a metal or bamboo steamer.