Steamed Asparagus In The Buff Food

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Pour about 1-inch of water into a large saucepan, and set up a collapsible steamer inside. Bring the water to boil, lay the asparagus in the steamer, cover, and steam until crisp-tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a heated serving dish, drizzle with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with lemon and serve immediately.
• Cook's Note: You may finish the asparagus with the grated zest of a small lemon, a tablespoon of unsalted butter, and a teaspoon of minced flat-leaf parsley leaves, instead of the oil.
• Copyright 2004 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

SIMPLY STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place water in the bottom half of a steamer pan set. Add salt and butter, and bring to a boil.
• Trim the dry ends off of the asparagus. If the spears are thick, peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler. Place them in the top half of the steamer pan set. Steam for 5 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the asparagus, or until asparagus is tender.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON

Steps:

• Steam asparagus gently until tender, certainly not mushy.
• Put asparagus in bowl, and squeeze lemon half over the asparagus until fairly well-covered.
• Salt, pepper, and/or butter are optional, but I like the dish as is.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a steamer basket set over boiling water. Steam, covered, until easily pierced with a sharp knife, 2 to 6 minutes.
• Toss with butter, salt, and a pinch of pepper.

THE BEST STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a microwave-safe dish. Pour in wine, and dot with pieces of butter.
• Cover loosely, and cook in the microwave on High for 3 minutes, or until bright green and tender. Allow the dish to stand 5 minutes before serving.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Wash asparagus and trim off bottom of stems by about 2 inches. In a large skillet, bring about 1/2 inch of water to a rapid boil. Season the water with salt and add the asparagus. Cook the asparagus for 2-3 minutes or until bright green and just tender. Drain the asparagus and add butter to the skillet. Stir in the zest and juice. Return the drained asparagus to the skillet and toss to coat. Serve immediately

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Hold both ends of a stalk of asparagus and bend it until it snaps. Then use a knife to trim the remainder of the bunch to match. Discard the trimmed stems.
• Pour about an inch of water into a skillet or wok and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Put the asparagus in a steamer basket and season with salt. Set the steamer basket over the boiling water and cook until tender, 4 to 6 minutes depending on the thickness. Transfer the asparagus to a plate and serve.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Pour or spritz the water onto 4 paper towels. Spread out the paper towels and lay the asparagus on top of the dampened towels. Sprinkle with the salt. Roll up the asparagus in the dampened towels. Lay the bundle, seam side down, in the microwave. Microwave on high until the asparagus is just crisp tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the microwave using tongs and carefully unwrap. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Set up a steamer, fill the bottom with water and bring to a boil. If the asparagus are very thick, peel them. Start about 2-inch down from the tip of the stalk and peel. It is not necessary to peel thin asparagus. Cut the asparagus to fit into your steamer basket. Cover and steam until the asparagus are bright green and tender, but still somewhat crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes for thick asparagus and 3 to 5 minutes for thin asparagus. Remove from the steamer and season with salt and pepper.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Peel the bottoms of 2 bunches thick asparagus. Snap off the ends; discard. Cook in a steamer basket set in a pot of simmering water, covered, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add 1/2 minced shallot and cook until soft. Remove from the heat and whisk in 3 tablespoons diced cold butter; add 2 teaspoons soy sauce. Pour over the asparagus. Season with pepper.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH GINGER GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• In a steamer set over boiling water, steam asparagus, covered, until just crisp-tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain asparagus well.
• In a 1-cup measure, stir together cornstarch and water until dissolved and stir in soy sauce, Sherry or Scotch, sugar, salt and sesame oil.
• Heat a wok or large heavy skillet over high heat until hot and add vegetable oil. Heat vegetable oil until hot but not smoking and stir-fry gingerroot and garlic 30 seconds. Add asparagus and stir-fry 30 seconds. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to asparagus. Bring liquid to a boil, stirring, and stir-fry mixture until asparagus is well coated. Sprinkle asparagus with sesame seeds and toss.
• Serves 4 as an entree with rice or 6 as a side dish.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH ALMOND BUTTER

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy small skillet over low heat. Add shallots and garlic and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Pour into medium bowl. Add remaining 6 tablespoons butter, parsley, lemon juice and lemon peel to shallot mixture and whisk to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Steam asparagus until crisp-tender. Set aside.
• Place butter mixture in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add almonds and cook until butter browns, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add asparagus and stir until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper; divide among plates and serve.