Top 10 asparagus recipes
British asparagus is now in season and is readily available. What's the best way to cook these green Great British lances?
The British asparagus season is officially in full swing.
According to the British Growers Association, the percentage of households in the UK that buy asparagus during the British season rose from 2.1% in 2001 (around 490,000 households) to 17% in 2013 (almost 4.5 million households in total). That's around a ninefold increase!
Nicholas Culpeper, writing in 1653, suggested that if you boil asparagus in white wine and consume the concoction, it will help ease the pain of sciatica, hip-gout, and even help you pass kidney stones (you can read the extract from Culpeper's The Complete Herbal below).
He also says in The English Physician that it "stirreth up bodily Lust in Man or Woman [sic]." Interesting stuff, but take the advice with a pinch of salt (just like your freshly blanched asparagus).
Here are 10 recipes that use it to great culinary effect.
Spring vegetables with basil purée
This super colourful dish contains not only asparagus, but an assortment of the best spring vegetables.
Crunchy Chantenay carrots, spicy radishes and sugar snap peas all add to this wonderful medley, which is then mixed up with plenty of roast potatoes, small balls of mozzarella and a drizzle of basil purée.
Asparagus and cheddar creams
A slightly complicated but very special little dish. These creams are like small podiums, on top of which the champion asparagus stands, along with sliced quail eggs.
Season with salt, pepper, dill and white wine vinegar.
Asparagus bruschetta recipe
A light bite consisting of rustic bread, broad beans and asparagus, served with a light lemon, mint, mozzarella and olive oil dressing.
Serve these at a party with other nibbles like marinated olives, other types of bruschetta and a glass of dry white wine.
Pasta with butter grilled asparagus
Making your own pasta is a rewarding practice. It takes a little extra time, yes, but the results are fantastic.
Top with parmesan shavings and Parma ham for an authentic Italian experience, and the butter grilled asparagus rounds everything off in this great entrée.
Asparagus egg dippers
Asparagus spears are delicious dipped into runny egg yolks, though they face stiff competition from toast soldiers who defend their territory well. Give asparagus the edge by wrapping smoked salmon slices around your buttery spears.
Asparagus and cheddar omelette
Red onion and cheese is a combination that has proved its worth time and time again in hundreds of recipes.
Enhance that famous pairing with this omelette recipe by adding a handful of asparagus tips, chives and a big dollop of crème fraîche.
Asparagus with black olive powder
Another eggy recipe, but with a luxurious twist. Once again, it's the pairing of soft eggs with asparagus spears, but this recipe calls for a poached duck egg, rather than a chicken's.
Ground black olives and a sprinkling of botarga make this all the more remarkable, but it's still very easy to make.
Asparagus, potatoes and eggs
One more way to eat asparagus with eggs. It's a popular partnership for a good reason, and this wholesome dish is served up with a summery basil dressing.
And a fluffy baked potato is a favourite at any time of year. Just add a splash of vinegar and a scrape of butter.
Asparagus and ricotta risotto
This recipe is very versatile. Try it with added mushrooms, leek, bacon or fish, it'll be all the more tasty for it. Experiment with your own ideas and tell us what works!
For a rich, full flavour, the goat's cheese is grilled until it forms a beautiful golden layer on top.
Shaved asparagus with Caerphilly
This one might divide opinions, as raw asparagus and fennel is not everyone's cup of tea. However, as there's no cooking involved it's a dish that would suit a hot day when you simply want something refreshing and quick. The Caerphilly cheese is a rare treat, too.
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