Steaming Asparagus Perfection With Pampered Chef

Cooking asparagus in a Pampered Chef steamer is a quick and easy way to prepare this tasty and nutritious vegetable. The Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker® is a versatile piece of kitchen equipment that can be used to steam asparagus to perfection. Simply add a few tablespoons of water for every cup of fresh asparagus and cook until the desired texture is achieved. For thicker asparagus, it is recommended to peel it first, and steaming should take around 5-10 minutes depending on the thickness. You can also add butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.

How to steam asparagus in the microwave

Firstly, you will need to prepare your asparagus. Snap or cut off the woody ends of the asparagus spears and discard them. If you are using thick asparagus, you may also want to peel the spears lightly with a vegetable peeler.

Next, fill the bottom of your Pampered Chef steamer with water. The amount of water will depend on the size of your steamer and the amount of asparagus you are cooking. As a general rule, add a few tablespoons of water for every cup of fresh vegetables. Place the asparagus spears in the steamer basket, with the tips pointing towards the outer edge of the basket. You can also add butter, salt, or other seasonings to taste.

Once your steamer is prepared, place it in the microwave and cook on high for 2-3 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your asparagus spears and your desired level of doneness. For thicker asparagus, steam for 5-8 minutes, and for thinner asparagus, steam for 3-5 minutes. If you are using a larger quantity of asparagus, you may need to cook it for a longer period of time.

After cooking, carefully remove the steamer from the microwave using oven mitts or tongs, as it will be hot. Unwrap the asparagus or remove it from the steamer and serve immediately. Steamed asparagus is best served crisp and tender, so avoid overcooking it.

You can also experiment with different dressings and seasonings to add extra flavour to your steamed asparagus. For example, you could try drizzling it with olive oil, melted butter, or lemon juice, or sprinkling it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or grated Parmesan cheese.

How to steam asparagus on the stove

Ingredients

• Fresh asparagus
• Butter (optional)
• Salt
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Pepper (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)

Utensils

• Saucepan
• Steamer basket or pan set
• Knife
• Vegetable peeler (optional)

Method

• Pour 1 inch of water into the saucepan and bring it to a boil.
• Chop off about an inch from the bottom of the asparagus spears. If the spears are very thick or woody, peel the bottom of the spears.
• Place the asparagus in the steamer basket.
• Carefully place the steamer basket in the saucepan, cover, and steam until the asparagus is tender. This should take about 5 minutes for thicker spears and 3 minutes for thinner ones.
• Remove the asparagus from the steamer and transfer to a serving platter.
• (Optional) Drizzle the asparagus with melted butter and lemon juice, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Serve immediately.

Tips

• If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a steamer pan set or a steamer basket inserted into a large pot.
• Avoid overcooking the asparagus. It's better to serve it crisp at room temperature than to overcook it.
• If you're not ready to serve the asparagus yet, you can keep it warm by removing it to a serving plate and covering it with foil.

How long to steam asparagus for

Steaming asparagus is a simple and quick way to cook this tasty vegetable. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your asparagus spears, but it should take between 3 and 10 minutes to steam them to perfection.

How to prepare asparagus for steaming

First, trim the dry ends off the asparagus spears. If the spears are thick, peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler. There's no need to peel thin spears.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the spears. For thicker spears, steaming will take around 5 to 8 minutes, whereas thinner spears will only need 3 to 5 minutes.

How to serve steamed asparagus

Asparagus is best served immediately after steaming. You can serve it as it is, or dress it with melted butter, olive oil, vinaigrette, or a sauce like hollandaise. Season with salt and pepper, and perhaps some garlic powder, to taste.

Tips for steaming asparagus

Use a steamer pan set or a steamer basket inserted into a large pot. You'll need to add a few inches of water to the bottom of the steamer, or enough to reach just below the steamer basket. Bring the water to a boil before adding the asparagus.

What to serve with steamed asparagus

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

• Garlic Parmesan Flounder: Asparagus can be a great side dish to a delicate fish like flounder, especially when paired with garlic and Parmesan flavours.
• Creamy Tuscan Chicken: The mild flavour and crisp texture of steamed asparagus can complement a creamy Tuscan chicken dish.
• Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders: For those who prefer gluten-free options, steamed asparagus can be a healthy and tasty side to chicken tenders.
• Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus: For a cold appetiser or finger food, wrap steamed asparagus in prosciutto slices for a savoury treat.
• Salads: Chopped cold steamed asparagus can add a nice crunch and flavour to green salads, especially when paired with ingredients like prosciutto or a creamy dressing.
• Stir-fried Dishes: Steamed asparagus can also be tossed into a stir-fry with other vegetables and your choice of protein for a quick and easy meal.
• Grilled Dishes: Asparagus can be a tasty side to grilled dishes, such as grilled soy-sesame asparagus or grilled zucchini.
• Roasted Dishes: Roasted asparagus and mushrooms is another option, creating a hearty and flavourful side dish.
• Pasta: Steamed asparagus can be cut into bite-sized pieces and tossed with pasta, olive oil, and Parmesan for a simple and tasty pasta dish.
• Rice Bowl: Create a rice bowl with steamed rice, asparagus, and other vegetables, topped with a fried egg or your choice of protein.

What sauce to serve with steamed asparagus

Steamed asparagus is a delicious and healthy dish, and there are several sauces that can be served alongside it to enhance its flavour. Here are some options:

Hollandaise Sauce

A perfect sauce to serve with steamed asparagus for an elegant meal. To make a simple hollandaise sauce, melt some butter in a small pot. Put egg yolks, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne into a blender and blend until the mixture becomes lighter in colour. Then, with the blender on a low setting, slowly drizzle in the hot, melted butter and continue to blend for a few seconds after. Season with more salt or lemon juice, if needed.

Mustard Sauce

A no-cook mustard sauce can be made by mixing mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and white wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, and serve with steamed asparagus. This sauce is quick and easy to make and is perfect for a refreshing springtime meal.

Lemon Butter Dill Sauce

This sauce is a great way to add a tangy twist to your asparagus. It is made with dry white wine and fresh dill and can be served with fish or chicken, or drizzled over vegetables for a quick, healthy snack.

Vinaigrette Dressing

A tangy vinaigrette dressing can be used in place of butter when serving steamed asparagus.

Romesco Sauce

Romesco sauce is packed with flavour and is easy to make with simple ingredients and a blender or food processor. This roasted red pepper-based Spanish sauce is delicious served with chicken, pork, seafood, or roasted vegetables.

Frequently asked questions