Steaming Asparagus Perfection With The Epicure Steamer

Cooking asparagus in an Epicure steamer is a quick and easy way to prepare this tasty vegetable. You can use the Epicure silicone steamer or the Epicure Multipurpose steamer, and the process is simple. First, trim the ends of your asparagus spears. If they are thick, you may want to peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler. Next, place the spears in the steamer, and microwave on high for 4-6 minutes until tender. You can also use the steamer on the stovetop. Place 3 cups of water in the bottom half of the steamer pan set, add butter and salt, and bring to a boil. Place the asparagus in the top half of the steamer and cook for 5-10 minutes, depending on thickness.

Trimming asparagus spears

• Assess the Thickness: Begin by examining the thickness of your asparagus spears. If they are thick, you will need to peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler. The thicker spears tend to be more fibrous, so peeling helps ensure a tender texture after cooking.
• Trim the Dry Ends: Using a sharp knife, cut off about an inch from the bottom of each asparagus spear. This step removes the dry, woody ends that are not pleasant to eat.
• Peel the Lower Half (Optional): If you notice a fibrous skin on the lower half of the spears, you can use a peeler to remove it. This step is especially important if you are using thicker asparagus, as it ensures that the entire stalk will be tender after cooking.
• Consistency is Key: Try to trim all the spears to a similar length. This ensures that they cook evenly in the steamer. A good rule of thumb is to trim them to approximately the same length as the width of your steamer basket or pan.
• Avoid Over-Trimming: While trimming is essential, be careful not to cut off too much. The tender part of the spear is just below the head, so you want to retain as much of this tasty section as possible.
• Prepare the Trimmings (Optional): Don't discard the trimmings right away! You can use the ends to make vegetable broth or add flavour to soups and stocks. Alternatively, chop them finely and sauté or roast them for a tasty addition to stir-fries or omelettes.

By following these steps, you will be able to trim your asparagus spears like a pro, ensuring they are ready for steaming and result in a delicious and tender vegetable dish.

How to steam asparagus

Ingredients

• Asparagus
• Butter
• Salt
• Lemon juice
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Method

• First, trim the dry ends off the asparagus. If the spears are thick, peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler.
• Place 3 cups of water in the bottom half of the Epicure steamer pan set. Add a knob of butter and a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil.
• Place the asparagus spears in the top half of the steamer pan set.
• Cover the pan and microwave on high for 4–6 minutes until the asparagus is tender. Thicker spears will take about 5 minutes, while thinner spears will take around 3 minutes.
• Drizzle the asparagus with melted butter and lemon juice, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Serve immediately.

How long to steam asparagus

Steaming asparagus is a quick and easy way to cook this tasty vegetable as a side dish or an ingredient in your favourite recipes. It is also a healthy cooking method that helps to retain the asparagus's nutrients and natural flavour.

The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears. Very thin spears could take as little as 1 minute to steam, while thicker spears could take up to 10 minutes. On average, you should steam asparagus for around 3-5 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender but still a little firm.

To steam asparagus, first prepare the asparagus by snapping off the woody ends at the natural break. Place the spears in the steamer basket, opened wide. Fill the bottom half of a steamer pan set with 3 cups of water, or a skillet with about ½-inch of water, and bring it to a boil. Place the steamer basket with the asparagus in the top half of the steamer pan set or in the skillet, opened as wide as it can go. Place a tightly fitted lid on the pan or skillet. Steam for about 3-5 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender but still a little firm. Avoid overcooking it.

How to serve steamed asparagus

Step 1: Prepare the Asparagus

Wash the asparagus and trim the dry ends off. If you are using thick asparagus spears, lightly peel them with a vegetable peeler.

Step 2: Set Up the Epicure Steamer

Fill the bottom half of the Epicure steamer with 3 cups of water. You can also add butter and salt to taste and bring the water to a boil.

Step 3: Steam the Asparagus

Place the asparagus spears in the top half of the Epicure steamer. Cover the steamer and place it in the microwave. Cook the asparagus on high power for 4-6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears. Thick spears will take about 5-10 minutes to cook, while thin spears will take about 3-5 minutes.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

Check the asparagus for doneness by piercing it with a fork. The asparagus should be tender but still have a slight crispness to it. Be careful not to overcook the asparagus, as this can affect its texture and taste.

Step 5: Serve the Asparagus

Once the asparagus is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the steamer and transfer it to a serving platter. You can serve steamed asparagus in a variety of ways:

• Drizzle it with melted butter, olive oil, or vinaigrette and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
• For a more elaborate sauce, you can use hollandaise sauce, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or tahini.
• For a tangy twist, dress the asparagus with balsamic vinegar and pesto herbs. Simply whisk together balsamic vinegar, water, brown sugar, onion dip mix, and pesto sauce mix. Simmer for 3 minutes, then whisk in olive oil and simmer for an additional minute. Toss the steamed asparagus with the warm dressing and serve.
• Serve the steamed asparagus as a side dish alongside main courses such as gluten-free chicken tenders.

What to serve with steamed asparagus

Steamed asparagus is a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses. Here are some ideas for what to serve with steamed asparagus:

Proteins

Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus: Wrap cold steamed asparagus in prosciutto slices for a delicious, savoury appetizer or main course.

Chicken: Serve steamed asparagus with gluten-free chicken tenders or creamy Tuscan chicken for a well-rounded meal.

Fish: Try steamed asparagus as a side dish with garlic Parmesan flounder or another mild, flaky fish.

Dips and Sauces

Cream cheese: Dip steamed asparagus in cream cheese dip for a creamy, tangy treat.

Yogurt: Greek yogurt dip is another healthy option for adding flavour to steamed asparagus.

Hollandaise sauce: For a more indulgent option, drizzle hollandaise sauce over your steamed asparagus.

Other Vegetables

Zucchini: Lemon pepper zucchini can be a tasty side dish to serve alongside steamed asparagus.

Mushrooms: Try roasted asparagus and mushrooms for a hearty, savoury meal.

Carrots: Glazed carrots, either balsamic or orange-glazed, can add a touch of sweetness to your meal.

Salads

Asparagus salad: Chop cold steamed asparagus and add it to a salad for a refreshing and healthy option.

Other Ideas

Stir-fried asparagus: For a more crisp-tender texture, try stir-frying your steamed asparagus.

Grilled asparagus: Give your steamed asparagus a charred flavour by finishing it off on the grill.

Baked asparagus: For a more indulgent option, try baking asparagus with a crunchy Parmesan crust.

Frequently asked questions