Spring Awakening
I've got garden-fresh asparagus! Seriously, look at them. Dirt is still clinging to these bad boys. After a very successful, productive meeting for the nonprofit I'm on the board of, Veggie U, we lucky board members were given some uber-fresh spring asparagus to take home. And I don't care what else happens today (ten pages? what?) I'm cooking those pretty green spears for dinner tonight. Question is, how? I love asparagus raw in salads, grilled over an open flame, oven-roasted with olive oil, drizzled with balsamic vengar. Considering how new and tender this batch is, though, I could go the fast and easy route and just steam them. They don't need a lot of gussying up, but I made mayonnaise last week, which has got to be the most perfect dipping sauce. Especially if I maybe swirled in a little extra lemon and garlic for an impromptu aioli. Deborah Madison, my vegetable guru, recommends cooking fresh asparagus in a skillet of boiling water, just until the spears turn an even brighter green. I've always steamed asparagus in a basket over boiling water, so I'll be interested to see if I can tell the difference. I agree with Deb, though, the main thing is not to overdo it. Take them off the heat before they're done--they'll keep cooking for a few minutes after they're out of the pot. I'll let you know how it turns out.
What's your favorite way to cook asparagus?
