Know About Asparagus

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Know About Asparagus
« on: May 31, 2010, 11:36:36 AM »
Everything You Need to Know About Asparagus
By James Lee Ong



A lot of young people really wish to master how to cook asparagus. Asparagus has mouth watering taste and it is very easy to prepare. You can get asparagus anytime of the year and you can find it at your local shopping store.

Asparagus can be boiled; anyone can make steam asparagus, baked asparagus and even grilled asparagus. Every one of them has their own personal unique taste and is highly nutritious to eat.

Here are a number of methods on how to cook asparagus.

Use a frying pan to cook your asparagus. Put enough water to just cover them and bring the water to a boil.

The cooking time for asparagus depends on the width of the stems. Boil them for 3-6 minutes and test for doneness with a fork. They will need to be tender but not mushy.
Drain the asparagus and return it to the pan. Anyone can include some butter to the pan and let it dissolve to coat the vegetables. Lemon drizzled over the asparagus is also great.

How to Cook Asparagus Recipes

How to Cook Asparagus | Stir Fried Asparagus with Ginger and Cashews

1 1/2 pounds asparagus, cleaned and cut into 1 1/2" pieces
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely chopped1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 cup cashews, chopped

Heat the oils with each other in a wok or fry pan. Cook the ginger for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add the asparagus and prepare for 4 minutes, until barely tender and still bright green. Stir in soy sauce and cashews and continue food preparation for a couple of more minutes to heat through.

Makes 6 servings

How to Barbecue Grill Asparagus

Asparagus is excellent cooked on the barbecue grill and is one of my preferred asparagus recipes - whether it is an indoor barbecue grill or an outdoor barbecue. This in my view is the best way to cook asparagus, as the slight charred flavor is an excellent addition. If an individual uses an outdoor grill, put a vegetable barbecue grill pan or another version of those metal containers with holes in it on the grill first and cook the asparagus in that. That way you would not lose your precious asparagus spears to the fire below.

How to Buy Asparagus

Preferably, you will buy asparagus and prepare it the same time, but you can find iced spears each and every one year round. Here are some tips on how to buy asparagus:

1. Fresh asparagus is in season from late February through June.

2. Depending on the season, you can get asparagus canned or frozen, or find fresh asparagus grown in a hothouse or brought in from warmer climates.

3. The standard rule is 1.5 pounds of asparagus for 4 people.

4. The size of the asparagus anyone buys has more to do with personal preference than flavor. It is said that size does not matter as both taste equally good.

5. Whichever size stalk anyone picks out, it is best to buy tips that are closed.

6. Although you can store asparagus in the freezer for 5 days, it is best to prepare it fresh as soon as possible to take full advantages of its great flavor!

7. According to Martha Steward, asparagus will stay fresh up to five days in the refrigerator.

How to Clean Asparagus

Generally start by stripping the tiny scales of the asparagus stems on the sides by using a small knife. You need to master how to strip this part because this is exactly where sands and grit are found in this area. While cleaning them under the flow of water, handle the underneath end of the stem in one hand and bend it gently with the other hand. The stem will break at the tender location and the broken ends can be used for soups. Once you are done with the stem-breaking, rub the asparagus lightly. Then turn the stem upside down and continue cleaning it.

Health Benefits of Asparagus

Compiled are some of the health benefits of asparagus over the Internet.

•It is high in vitamin and mineral K and Folate
•Eat asparagus when an individual are expecting or thinking about conceiving - because of it being high in folic acid it helps protect against birth defects such as spina bifida
•Great for your heart
•Helps menstrual cramps
•Great for your gastrointestinal tract and your colon
•Helps menstrual cramps
•Great food to help treat depression
•Has been known to enhance the success rate of chemo therapy
•Is considered a diuretic which means it is a good anti-inflammatory
•Help find rid of warts
•Helps detoxify your body
•Add more asparagus to your diet to lower cholesterol
•Great for nursing mothers revitalizing milk production
•Has cleansing agents - prevents the effects of aging
•Has antifungal and antiviral qualities
•Great for your kidneys - cleansing your body by stimulating urination and protecting against kidney stones
•Helps protect against bladder and urinary tract infections
•Use to be used as an a aphrodisiac - enhance sexual and comforting feelings
•Helps using treating HIV
•Helps protect against multiple sclerosis
•Helps protect against scurvy
•Asparagus has anti-cancer agents - especially lung cancer
•Helps fight chronic fatigue syndrome
•Helps fight off high blood pressure
•If you bruise easily - take in more asparagus
•Is considered a laxative - consume an asparagus if you have diarrhea and constipation
•Great for your capillaries - eat more asparagus to avoid varicose veins
•Great for your eyes protecting against cataracts
•If a person are experiencing hair loss- consume more asparagus
•Helps handle toothaches

As a person know now how to prepare asparagus, go ahead and cook a few for yourself and your family. Remember to bookmark this page as we have lots of other tips for an individual on how to cook asparagus.

James is an expert chef and has prepared more tips on how to cook asparagus

For more mouth watering cooking lessons, you can also learn how to grill asparagus

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Lee_Ong