Holiday Chocolate Gift Ideas

Easy Asparagus Dishes – Yummy And Healthy

Asparagus could be broadly classified according to their color, green and white. The white asparagus is also referred to as blanched asparagus.[I:http://holidaychocolategiftideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/RajivKapur24.jpg]

But there is no confusion as to how they differ Infact the green and white asparagus comes from similar type of plant, but because of the fact that the shoots are shielded from light. This strips them of enough chlorophyll and so the vegetable doesn’t turn green. The white asparagus carries a subtle flavor, particularly when compared to green They are grown underground and are harvested only when the top part of the plant surfaces to the ground.

A good green asparagus will be green throughout the length of its stalk. Moreover the stalk should not be rigid or dried and should ideally be brittle and breakable when bent. A pliable asparagus is a transparent sign that it’s wilted.

Since asparagus is grown and harvested in sandy soil, it is essential to wash it adequately. You could clean the tip with a brush and dip and wash the stalks in warm water.

The tough base of the asparagus will snap off. These ends are good for use in soups and peeled and chopped for use in other vegetable dishes.

Mind you, the harder base of the asparagus will need a lot of cooking than the rest of the vegetable which is softer. You could use a pot and cook the asparagus in some kind of a vertical position, so that the base gets warmed more while the tips are adequately steamed.

If you do not have such a pot, you can peel the harder outer layer off of the stalks and steam them. Many people will peel the stalks in either case.

The softness of the stalks is an indicator that the asparagus is well cooked. You could serve them hot or cold. Its generally served cold with vinaigrette dressing or hot with hollandaise sauce and butter.

Cream of Asparagus Soup.

one bunch of green asparagus.

Add in some flour, around two-3 tablespoons.

2 tablespoons butter.

2 cups milk.

1/2 cut heavy cream.

Add pepper and salt according to taste

Like already stated above, you could cook the asparagus in vertical position or simply cut the stalks and cook them separately. Here we will cut the stalks and cook them independently Once the stalks are cooked, do not throw the cooking water, save it. Mash the cooked softer stalk in a mixer.

Now add scalded milk(2cups) and flour(2tablespoons) and cook until the lumps are evened out and the flour heats up adequately . Add the water in which the asparagus was cooked and the asparagus pulp. Cook a few minutes to cook the flour and thicken the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the cream and the asparagus tips. Reheat, but do not boil.

For more information on asparagus recipes please look at Great Asparagus Recipes You can also take a look at some awesome video recipes by visiting White Asparagus Recipes