Steaming Asparagus: Tupperware Stack Cooker Method

Steaming asparagus is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook this tasty vegetable. It is also the fastest way to cook asparagus without the need for butter or oil. You can steam asparagus on the stove or in the microwave. To steam asparagus on the stove, you will need a steamer pan set, a steamer basket, or a pot with a lid. Place water in the bottom of your chosen steamer, add butter and salt, and bring to a boil. Place the asparagus in the steamer, cover, and steam until tender. You can also steam asparagus in the microwave by placing the asparagus in a microwave-safe container with a small amount of water, covering it, and cooking on high for a few minutes.

Trimming asparagus

Firstly, it is important to sort through your asparagus and remove any stalks that appear shrivelled or discoloured, as these will not be suitable for cooking. You may also want to sort the asparagus by size, especially if you are particular about even cooking.

Next, give the asparagus a good rinse under cool water. Shake off any excess water and pat the spears dry with a paper towel or tea towel. This step is important as too much water on the asparagus will prevent oil and seasoning from sticking to the vegetable.

Now, it's time to trim the asparagus. The goal is to remove the woody ends while retaining as much of the edible green stalks as possible. There are a few different methods for doing this:

• Bend and Snap Method: Hold the asparagus spear with one hand in the middle and the other near the root end. Bend the asparagus until it snaps. This method relies on the asparagus snapping at the point where the tender part of the stem meets the tough part. However, it can result in the loss of some edible portions of the stalk, and you may end up with ragged ends.
• Knife Cutting Method: Using a chef's knife, cut off 1 to 2 inches from the ends of the stalks. Line up all the spears and trim them simultaneously, right above where the stalks turn from white to green. This method ensures uniformity in length and presentation.
• Combination Method: A combination of the above two methods can also be used. Snap one stem to find the point where the woody part ends, and then use that as a guide to cut the rest of the spears with a knife, ensuring they are all the same length.

It is important to note that the thickness, age, and freshness of the asparagus can impact the trimming method you choose. For example, very thin or young "baby" asparagus may not require any trimming at all. Additionally, thicker spears may benefit from a light peeling with a vegetable peeler after trimming to remove any remaining fibrous parts.

Once you have trimmed your asparagus, you can choose to cook it whole or cut it into smaller pieces, depending on your recipe and preference. Remember to be mindful of cook times, as thicker spears may require longer steaming or cooking times.

Steamer basket requirements

To steam asparagus, you will need a steamer basket. This can be a regular, collapsible stainless steel steamer basket. You will also need a pan to place the steamer basket in, such as a large skillet with a tightly fitting lid. The pan should be large enough to fit the asparagus properly.

The water level in the pan should be below the steamer basket, so only about half an inch to one inch of water is needed. The asparagus should not be submerged in the water, but rather cooked by the steam.

If you do not have a steamer basket, you can use a microwave-safe dish with a lid or a plate resting on top. You can also use a pot with a lid and place a heat-proof plate on top of the water, arranging the asparagus on the plate.

How to steam asparagus

Firstly, choose bright green, firm asparagus stalks with tips that are tightly closed. The stalks should be uniform in size and free from any soft spots.

Next, prepare the asparagus by snapping off the woody ends where they naturally break. You can do this by holding the spear with two hands – one at the midpoint and the other near the root end – and bending it until it snaps. You can also use a knife to trim the ends. If the spears are thick, lightly peel them with a vegetable peeler.

Now, it's time to set up your steamer. If you're using a steamer pan set or a pot with a steamer basket, fill the bottom half or the pan with around 3 cups of water, or enough to just cover the bottom of the pan. Add butter and salt, and bring the water to a boil. If you don't have a steamer, you can use a large pot with a lid, or a microwave-safe dish with a lid or plate.

Once the water is boiling, place the asparagus spears in the top half of the steamer, or in the steamer basket. Make sure the asparagus is in a single layer and not overcrowded. Cover and steam until the asparagus is tender but still slightly firm, which should take around 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears. If you're using a pot, place a heat-proof plate on top of the water and arrange the asparagus on the plate before covering.

Finally, serve the asparagus with your choice of toppings or seasonings. Some popular options include butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon wedges, or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Enjoy your perfectly steamed asparagus!

Asparagus steaming time

Asparagus is a delicious and healthy vegetable that can be steamed to perfection in just a few minutes. Here's a guide to help you get perfect steamed asparagus using a Tupperware stack cooker or other steaming methods.

Using a Tupperware Stack Cooker:

Fill the bottom container of your Tupperware stack cooker with about half an inch of water. Place the steamer basket inside, making sure it doesn't touch the water. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a heat-proof plate. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and place the spears in the basket. Cover the cooker and place it on your stove over medium heat. Allow the water to boil and steam the asparagus for about 3 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the spears; thicker asparagus may take up to 5 minutes, while very thin spears may only need 1 minute.

Other Steaming Methods:

You can also steam asparagus using a skillet, a large pot, or even a microwave. For a skillet or pot, follow similar steps as the Tupperware stack cooker. Add water, bring it to a boil, and steam the asparagus for 3 to 5 minutes. If using a microwave, place the asparagus in a microwave-safe dish with a small amount of water, cover it, and cook on high for about 3 minutes.

Serving Suggestions:

Once your asparagus is tender, you can serve it with a variety of toppings and seasonings. A classic option is to drizzle melted butter and lemon juice over the asparagus and season it with salt and pepper. You can also try other toppings such as olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, garlic, Parmesan cheese, or soy sauce. Steamed asparagus makes a great side dish and can be served hot or cold.

Asparagus serving suggestions

Asparagus is a versatile vegetable that can be steamed, grilled, sautéed, boiled, roasted, or braised. It pairs well with a variety of proteins and dishes, making it a great side option. Here are some asparagus serving suggestions:

Simple Sides

Asparagus can be served as a simple side dish to complement a variety of meals. Steam, grill, or sautéed the asparagus and season with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil or butter. You can also try lemon pepper, vinaigrette, or a balsamic glaze as a dressing.

Salads

Asparagus can be a great addition to salads. Cut the cooked asparagus into 1-inch pieces and add them to a green salad or pasta salad. For a spring salad, combine asparagus with fresh mint, peas, and creamy burrata. You can also add sliced hard-boiled eggs, a balsamic dressing, or a Greek salad dressing.

Wraps

Whole asparagus spears can be added to wrap sandwiches. Try them with egg salad collard green wraps or edamame hummus veggie wraps for a crunchy texture.

Main Courses

Asparagus can be served as a side to various main courses:

• Salmon: Pan-fried, baked, or grilled asparagus pairs well with salmon, especially when glazed with honey garlic.
• Tuna Steak: Asparagus is a great side to a garlic herb-marinated tuna steak.
• Scallops: Seared lemon butter scallops go well with asparagus.
• Crab Cakes: Crab cakes and asparagus make for a delicious pairing.
• Chicken Casserole: Mix asparagus into a creamy chicken casserole for a hearty meal.
• Steak: Asparagus is a good side to a juicy steak, such as bavette steak (broiled garlic flank steak).
• Chicken: Cast iron chicken breast with garlic butter, chicken katsu, or chicken pomodoro are some chicken dishes that go well with asparagus.
• Burgers: Cast iron skillet burgers or BBQ pulled chicken burgers can be served with a side of asparagus.
• Risotto: Asparagus is a perfect complement to a creamy risotto, such as truffle mushroom and leek risotto.
• Pasta: Veggie pesto pasta with zucchini and asparagus, or TikTok feta pasta are some pasta dishes that pair well with asparagus.

These are just a few ideas, but the versatility of asparagus means it can be paired with a variety of dishes to enhance your meal.

Frequently asked questions