Favourite Recipes for Asparagus

Do you need recipes for asparagus when just steaming it and serving it with hollandaise sauce is such a treat? Well there are plenty of other ways to cook and eat this luxury vegetable and it would be a shame not to try some of them while it is in season.

Asparagus and Zucchini Stir-fry
Asparagus Timbales
Asparagus in Tomato Sauce

As we have already covered how to cook zucchini let's start with a recipe that incorporates both of these summer vegetables. This makes a lovely accompaniment to a meal.

Asparagus and Zucchini Stir-fry

Start by preparing the vegetables. Slice the asparagus diagonally into pieces about 2 inches (5cm) long. Cut the zucchini into strips of about the same length.

Melt the butter in a frying pan (skillet) and add the vegetables and pine nuts. With the pan over a medium heat stir until asparagus is tender and nuts are browned.

Serve immediately, sprinkled with the chopped chives.

Asparagus Timbales

A timbale is the name given to a soufflé-like dish made in a deep, straight sided mould or dish of the same name.

This is one of those recipes for asparagus that can be served hot or cold, and it makes a wonderful starter for a dinner party. As such, I have given quantities for six timbales here, but you can reduce this if you are just cooking for yourself or for you and your partner only.

Cook the asparagus by either boiling, steaming or microwaving it, until tender, and then drain well.

Melt the butter in a frying pan (skillet) over a medium heat, then cook the onion for about 2 minutes or until it is soft. Stir in the flour and continue cooking for another minute. Then tip the contents of the pan into a large bowl.

Pop the asparagus into a food processor or blender and whizz until it is smooth. Add it to the bowl, along with the grated cheese, eggs, stock cube and nutmeg. Mix it all together well.

Pour the mixture into six greased timbale moulds. Cover each mould with foil and place them in a baking dish. Pour enough boiling water into the dish so that it reaches about half way up the sides of the moulds.

Bake the asparagus timbales in a moderate oven (160 degrees celsius or 325 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 45 minutes, or until set.

Turn out the timbales carefully, and serve hot or cold.

Asparagus in Tomato Sauce

No page of recipes for asparagus would be complete without this quick and easy supper dish.

Heat the oil in a frying pan (skillet) and then cook the onion for a couple of minutes, until it softens.

Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper. Simmer this sauce until it is reduced and slightly thickened which will take around 20 minutes.

While the sauce is cooking, steam the asparagus until just tender.

When the sauce has thickened stir in the chopped fresh basil.

Place the asparagus on two serving dishes and pour the sauce on top. Serve immediately.

This dish is lovely served on a bed of millet.

I hope you will try some of these recipes for asparagus when it is in season.