HOW TO STORE AND COOK FRESH ASPARAGUS Keep asparagus cool and moist: Handle asparagus spears like flowers. Trim the butt end of the spears, then refrigerate, upright, standing in an inch of water. Cover loosely with plastic. Or wrap the cut ends in a wet paper towel and store in a plastic bag with the top of bag left open. Stored this way, fresh asparagus keeps for 2-3 days refrigerated. Asparagus Cooking 101: A pound of asparagus contains 12 to 15 spears that measure 9-10 inches long and 1/2- 3/4- inch thick. A pound serves two to four people. Trim about an inch from the butt end. Cook asparagus until barely fork tender (tender crisp). Do not overcook; asparagus will absorb water and break down. Let cool to room temperature if not serving hot. Once cooked, refrigerate asparagus for no more than 2 days. Blanch or boil: In a frying pan large enough to hold asparagus in one layer, bring approximately 3 inches of water to a boil. Stir in 1 tablespoon salt. Add asparagus. Cook at a medium boil until fork tender, 2-5 minutes, depending on thickness. Drain on paper towel; serve immediately or cool.
Steam: Place whole trimmed asparagus on a steamer rack in a large sauce pot over (not in) boiling water. Cover and steam for 4-8 minutes. Microwave: Arrange whole trimmed asparagus in a glass baking dish with tips overlapping in center. Add 2-4 tablespoons water. Cover dish with plastic wrap, turning back one corner to vent steam. Microwave at high power for 3-6 minutes, then let stand 3-5 minutes more. Stir-fry: Cut asparagus spears at an angle into 1-inch lengths. Stir-fry in hot oil or butter, stirring constantly for 3-7 minutes. Grill: Brush spears (blanched if jumbo size) with olive oil and place directly on the grill. Cook, turning several times, for 4-6 minutes. __________________________________ <a href="http://www.vendingmachines.tk/"; >Vending Machines</a> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Help save the life of a child. Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.' http://us.click.yahoo.com/mGEjbB/5WnJAA/E2hLAA/4uhylB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> <a href="http://www.worldfamousrecipes.com/"; >World Famous Recipes</a> <a href="http://www.worldfamousrecipes.com/index.php"; >Famous Recipes</a> <a href="http://home.att.net/~wbaustin/famous.html"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://www.recipesrecipe.com/"; >Famous Recipes</a> <a href="http://www.vendingmachines.tk/"; >Vending Machines</a> <a href="http://www.recipes.tk/"; >Famous Recipes</a> <a href="http://www.quotesquotes.com/"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://www.worldfamousrecipes.com/chicken-recipes.html"; >Chicken Recipes</a> <a href="http://home.att.net/~quotations/"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://www.worldfamousrecipes.com/crockpot-recipes.html"; >Crockpot Recipes</a> <a href="http://www.azhttp.com/"; >High Tech</a> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chicken-recipes-mailing-list/"; >Chicken Recipes</a> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/world-famous-recipes/"; >World Famous Recipes</a> <a href="http://quotations.home.att.net/"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://www.quotes-world.com/"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/famous-quotes-/"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://h.webring.com/hub?ring=fquotes/"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://www.quotesexchange.com/"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://www.quotesfromfamouspeople.com/"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://www.quotationring.com/"; >Famous Quotes</a> <a href="http://home.att.net/~quotesexchange/"; >Famous Quotes</a> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/world-famous-recipes/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
