Steaming Asparagus: The Nesco Steamer Advantage

Steaming asparagus is a fast and easy way to cook the vegetable without the need for butter or oil. It is a simple recipe that highlights the unique flavour and texture of the asparagus. To steam asparagus, pour about an inch of water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Trim the asparagus and place it in a steamer basket. Place the steamer basket in the saucepan, cover, and steam until the asparagus is tender, which usually takes around 3-5 minutes for thinner spears and 5-10 minutes for thicker ones.

Trimming asparagus spears

Step 1: Sort Your Asparagus

Before trimming, unwrap or untie your asparagus bundle and sort through the spears. Remove any stalks that appear shrivelled or dark, as these will not be suitable for cooking. You may also want to sort the asparagus by size, separating any thick or skinny spears to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Wash the Asparagus

Rinse the asparagus spears in a colander under cool water. Shake gently to remove excess water, then pat dry with a paper towel or tea towel. Removing excess water will ensure that oil and seasoning can adhere to the asparagus during cooking.

Step 3: Trim the Asparagus

Arrange the asparagus spears on a cutting board, lining up the woody ends. For a precise trim, use a large chef's knife to cut off 1 to 2 inches from the ends of the stalks. Thicker spears may require more trimming than thinner, more tender spears. The ideal cutting point is where the stalks transition from white to green, indicating the start of the edible portion of the spear.

You can also trim asparagus spears without a knife using the bend-and-snap method. Simply hold the spear near the bottom and gently bend it until it snaps. However, this method can result in the loss of edible portions of the spear, especially if the asparagus is thin or flexible.

Step 4: Prepare the Trimmings (Optional)

The woody ends of asparagus spears can be discarded, or you can save them for stock. Adding them to your stock or broth will impart flavour and reduce waste.

By following these steps, you will effectively remove the tough, inedible portions of asparagus spears, ensuring a more enjoyable dining experience for yourself and your guests. Properly trimmed asparagus is key to preparing delicious steamed, grilled, or roasted asparagus dishes.

Steamer setup

To cook asparagus in a steamer, you will need a steamer pan set, a steamer basket, or a collapsible steamer. You will also need a saucepan or frying pan that is large enough to accommodate the steamer.

For the nesco steamer, fill the bottom half of the steamer pan set with 3 cups of water, or about 1 inch of water. If you are using a saucepan, pour enough water to just cover the bottom of the pan. Alternatively, you can fill the bottom of the steamer with water without specifying the amount.

Add butter and salt to the water and bring it to a boil. You can also season with other ingredients such as olive oil, lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Place the asparagus spears in the top half of the steamer pan set or in the steamer basket. If you are using a collapsible steamer, lay the asparagus in the steamer after the water has come to a boil. Make sure to trim the dry ends off the asparagus spears before placing them in the steamer. If the spears are thick, peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler.

Cover the steamer and begin steaming.

Cooking time

The cooking time for asparagus in a Nesco steamer will depend on the thickness of the asparagus spears and your desired texture. Asparagus can be steamed to be tender, tender-crisp, or bright green and crisp.

For thin asparagus, the cooking time will be around 3 to 5 minutes. For thicker asparagus, the cooking time will be longer, around 5 to 10 minutes.

• Tender-crisp: 4 to 5 minutes for thicker spears, 3 minutes for thinner ones
• Tender: 5 to 6 minutes, depending on thickness
• Bright green and crisp: 6 to 8 minutes for thick asparagus, 3 to 5 minutes for thin asparagus

It's important to note that overcooking asparagus can make it mushy and bland. To avoid this, keep an eye on the asparagus during the steaming process and remove it from the heat when it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Additionally, if you are using very thick asparagus, you may need to peel them before steaming. This can be done by starting about 2 inches down from the tip of the stalk and peeling downwards. Thin asparagus does not need to be peeled.

Seasoning

There are many ways to season asparagus cooked in a Nesco steamer. A simple seasoning of salt and pepper is always a good option, but you can also get creative with other spices and herbs. Here are some ideas:

• Kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder: This classic combination adds a savoury note to the asparagus. You can use freshly ground black pepper for extra flavour.
• Lemon pepper: This option adds a citrusy twist to the dish.
• Olive oil, white wine vinegar, onion powder, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes: This combination of seasonings adds a tangy, savoury, and slightly spicy kick to the asparagus.
• Parmesan cheese: Grated parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavour to the dish.
• Vinaigrette: A vinaigrette dressing can be used in place of butter for a tangy and light option.
• Chilli spiced: Whisk together olive oil, chilli powder, garlic powder, salt, and red wine vinegar. This option adds a spicy kick to the asparagus.
• Lemon juice: For a tangy and fresh flavour, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the asparagus.
• Butter: Drizzle melted butter over the asparagus for a rich and savoury option.
• Cream cheese, sour cream, or Greek yoghurt dip: These dips can be served on the side or used as a dressing for the asparagus.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of seasonings and dressings to find your favourite way to enjoy steamed asparagus!

Serving suggestions

While steaming is a great way to cook asparagus, it can also be prepared in a variety of ways, including blanching, grilling, roasting, sautéing, and even serving it raw.

• Steamed asparagus can be served with vinaigrette dressing, melted butter, lemon juice, and garlic.
• Grilled asparagus can be served with grilled lemon halves, allowing you to squeeze the charred lemons over the asparagus for added flavour.
• Blanched asparagus can be added to spring salads or scrambled eggs.
• Roasted asparagus can be served as a side dish with a squeeze of lemon, or chopped and tossed into eggs, pasta, or salads.
• Raw asparagus can be shaved into ribbons and used in a salad with olive oil and lemon, or added to pizza or toast.

Additionally, asparagus pairs well with a variety of main dishes, such as:

• Gluten-free chicken tenders
• Garlic Parmesan flounder
• Creamy Tuscan chicken
• Steaks
• Roast chicken
• Pork chops
• Lamb chops

Frequently asked questions