How to cook asparagus at home?

About asparagus has been known for about three thousand years.It is one of the oldest vegetables that people began to eat and not only (for example, in Egypt, asparagus was used as a means to clean the liver). There are more than two hundred varieties of this wonderful plant (the most popular are white, green, purple and sea). A few centuries later, this green vegetable has not lost its popularity, largely due to the fact that it possesses a unique set of trace elements essential for each organism, as well as the beneficial properties necessary to preserve health and well-being.

In our article we will talk in detail about the benefits and harms of vegetables, consider a few interesting recipes that will be useful to every hostess, and advise how to choose a quality product.

The benefits of asparagus are primarily due to the presence of a large amount of vitamins in the vegetable composition. A (retinol), B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B5, B6, E, H (biotin) and PP are not a complete list of the beneficial substances that are present in its composition. Asparagus is especially rich in vitamin C - 20 mg per 100 grams. And it also contains trace elements such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and iron. The most useful types of asparagus are green and especially green and purple.

Asparagus has a positive effect on our body.

• Improves digestion. Green asparagus works best with the acceleration of food digestion. It contains a lot of fiber and coarse fibers, which allow food to digest faster. Perfectly cleanses the body of toxins. The people even think that a green vegetable is an effective remedy against hangover, again because of its cleansing qualities.
• Strengthens the immune system. Since asparagus contains a large amount of vitamin C, it has a positive effect on the protective functions of our body, accelerates cell regeneration and tissue repair after injuries.
• Beta-carotene, which is part of the vegetable, helps to maintain vision.

• Positive effect on the heart, reduces cholesterol, a positive effect on blood circulation. People suffering from diseases of the heart muscle, be sure to include asparagus in your diet.
• Calcium contained in the composition strengthens bone tissue and contributes to its renewal. With frequent use of asparagus nails and hair become stronger and grow faster.
• Useful for pregnant women and nursing mothers. It helps the proper development of the fetus, asparagus also stabilizes and improves lactation.
• Due to the content of vitamin B1 asparagus beneficial effect on brain function, improves memory and sharpens attention.
• Fights Chronic Fatigue Syndrome due to folic acid contained in the composition of the vegetable. With regular use, it will help to feel much more cheerful.

• It has a diuretic effect., improves the functioning of the urinary system. By consuming asparagus, you can get rid of excess fluid in the body, avoid swelling and minimize the risk of cellulite.
• It has anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
• Often used in cosmetology., being a real source of beauty and youth. From the root and stalks of asparagus even make special infusions that contain a concentrated vitamin complex for skin and hair care. This infusion is easy to prepare and independently, you can also just use fresh asparagus juice, which can be obtained from the pureed vegetable.
• Even in the name of asparagus (the second, less well-known name of asparagus), as well as in the composition, contains "asparagine" - substance involved in protein synthesis.
• Useful for male potency.. Asparagus is rightly considered an aphrodisiac, it undoubtedly has special properties. In the ancient life science of Ayurveda, asparagus is even called “arrows of love” due to its ability to increase libido. From it often cook savory dishes.

The heroine of our article, indisputably, is one of the popular dietary dishes due to its low calorie content (100 grams of vegetable contains only 21 calories). Carbohydrates contained in asparagus, only benefit the body - increase activity, contribute to the rapid saturation of food. Everyone who cares about their shape and sticks to proper nutrition, include asparagus in their daily diet.

Despite the large number of advantages, the product is not so unambiguous. Asparagus can cause allergic reactions. As well as the product contains a substance such as saponin, which can irritate the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. When diagnosing rheumatism, cystitis and prostatitis also need to use asparagus with caution or completely excluded from the diet.

Let's start with the fact that soy asparagus is most famous. You must understand that asparagus as such, this product is not at all. This dish consists of processed soybeans and relates to the product under discussion only because of its name. Such asparagus is good because it is rich in proteins (100 grams of a plant contain about 50 grams of protein), respectively, by eating 150-200 grams of vegetable, you will provide yourself with the daily intake of protein. But in our article we will talk about how to cook the most useful dishes from natural asparagus, which has been known for many centuries.

Popular frozen asparagus. Its main advantages are the speed of cooking and minimum effort during processing. This product is most often already cut into slices. To defrost a vegetable, you can simply place it in a slow cooker in a defrosting mode. But be sure to remember that before cooking the product must be thoroughly rinsed in warm running water.

Marinated asparagus is also used in cooking. For example, in France in any supermarket you can buy a jar of such a pickled product. You can easily marinate it at home! To do this, you need only directly asparagus, vinegar, onion, garlic and a bit of your patience.

But the tastiest and healthiest of the above, of course, fresh asparagus. It is cooked instantly, 4-5 minutes of cooking is enough to enjoy the finished dish. The main thing is not to digest! Asparagus is a product that requires a sense of proportion when cooking, as young shoots are more commonly used as food.

You can cook asparagus at home. From the asparagus asparagus obtained a truly exquisite dishes at home. There are many ways to cook original and very tasty food. Let's look at some interesting proven recipes.

Asparagus goes well with any meat, it can be safely served on a side dish. To do this, simply boil the vegetable for a few minutes and salt to taste, with this method of cooking healthy vegetable will emphasize the taste of the main dish, not overshadowing it. And you can mix it with other vegetables, fry in a pan with egg or mushrooms. Checked, the garnish will turn out great.

Chop fresh asparagus in a blender until smooth, mix with onion fried in butter, pour in water and a little cold cream to taste. Spinach or broccoli can also be added to the soup. Decorate with greens and bell peppers, cut into strips.

From vegetable stems with seafood you get an unusual and tasty salad. Fresh asparagus should be cut into small cubes, add boiled long grain rice, shrimps and squid, fried in olive oil, and season with soy sauce and lemon juice or lime.In order to give the dish a zest, you can add a little coconut oil to the salad. Especially good for mini-asparagus salads, its pods are more tender and fresh.

It is enough to pickle the vegetable in olive oil with apple cider vinegar, garlic and lemon juice for 15-20 minutes, then fry on a street or homemade grill until crisp and sprinkle with parmesan and lemon peel chopped on a fine grater. You can also make a mix of grilled vegetables. For example, asparagus goes well with zucchini.

Fry favorite meat with onions in a hot skillet until half cooked and put on a baking sheet. Top with fresh asparagus and bake until tender. A few minutes before cooking, sprinkle with grated cheese, it will create a crisp, and add a savory flavor and flavor to the culinary masterpiece.

With a vegetarian type of food, you can substitute roasted meat for boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes or falafel.

Asparagus is a versatile product that is combined with meat, fish, even buckwheat porridge. The perfect flavor combination - egg and asparagus, try adding a vegetable to an omelet or an omelet, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

The taste of asparagus will also emphasize spinach, broccoli and green beans. Mixing all these vegetables, you definitely do not overdo it. From them you can make a wonderful stew.

Asparagus is great with seafood. Shrimps, mussels, scallops are products, the taste of which will reveal a green vegetable in a new way. Especially unusual and tasty seafood and vegetables are in harmony with rice. Be sure to try cooking at home risotto with the addition of young asparagus.

Very interesting dishes are obtained by adding pineapple, pickled ginger, sesame or even pine nuts to asparagus. Especially interesting is the sharp asparagus, it has a very special taste. To add peppercorns, you can add chilli or wasabi to asparagus.

There are some helpful tips for choosing and cooking the most delicious asparagus.

When choosing a product in the first place you should pay attention to the freshness and length of the shoots. The most delicious length of 14-17 centimeters. This is due to the maturity of the stems. Asparagus tips should be tightly closed, you should avoid already opened shoots.

The stems of the vegetable should be round and strong - this is a sure sign of the freshness of asparagus. Young asparagus stems are thinner, they do not have to be further cleaned when cooking.

Asparagus has no flavor, the presence of foreign smell, as well as signs of damage by parasites - the reason to refuse to purchase such a product.

Before use, the vegetable should be blanched (boil for 3-5 minutes in boiling salted water).

It is convenient to peel asparagus with a regular potato peeler.

Cooking it, of course, is better immediately after purchase. The fresher a healthy vegetable is, the richer its flavor is. The most delicious dishes come from asparagus, only picked from the garden.

Before cooking, be sure to cut off the dry tips and align the stems in length. This will simplify your task - the vegetable will cook more evenly.

When cooking the stems must be tied in a bunch, and then dipped in boiling water. The tops will be slightly visible from the water, preparing for a couple. This is a guarantee that the asparagus pods will be evenly cooked, as the dense and bulky stems boil an order of time longer than the tender tops.

After cooking, lower the vegetable into ice water. This simple manipulation will keep the product’s bright green color and make it more crisp.

We hope our simple recommendations will help you choose the right and tasty to cook this wonderful and healthy product.

How to cook asparagus at home, see the following video.