Steaming Asparagus Perfection: No Steamer Bag Needed

Steamed asparagus is a versatile dish that can be served hot or cold and is a great source of vitamins and minerals. It is also a quick and easy way to cook asparagus, with a cooking time of 3-5 minutes. There are several ways to cook asparagus, including boiling, blanching, and steaming. Steaming is a gentle cooking method that helps retain the asparagus's nutrients and natural flavour. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cook asparagus out of a steamer bag, as well as some serving suggestions.

Trimming asparagus spears

Step 1: Sort Your Asparagus

Before trimming, unwrap or untie the asparagus bundle and sort through the spears. Remove any stalks that look shrivelled or dark, as these won't be fit 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 to remove excess water, then pat dry with a paper towel or tea towel. Removing moisture will ensure that oil and seasoning can adhere to the spears.

Step 3: Trim the Asparagus

Arrange the asparagus spears on a cutting board, with the woody ends aligned. Use a large chef's knife to trim 1 to 2 inches off the ends of the stalks. The exact amount you trim will depend on the thickness of the spears—fatter spears may require more trimming than thinner, more tender spears. Cut the stalks just where the colour transitions from white to green. You can also peel the asparagus with a vegetable peeler if the spears are thick.

The trimmed asparagus ends can be discarded, or saved and used to flavour stocks and broths.

Alternative Method:

Instead of using a knife, you can also trim asparagus spears by hand. Simply hold a spear near the bottom and gently bend it until it snaps. The asparagus will naturally break where the tender and tough parts of the stalk meet. This method can be satisfying, but it may not yield as precise results as trimming with a knife.

Steamer pan sets

Step 1: Prepare the Steamer Pan Set

Fill the bottom half of your steamer pan set with water. The amount of water you need will depend on the size of your steamer. As a general rule, pour in enough water to reach just below the bottom of the steamer basket. Add a tablespoon of butter and a pinch of salt to the water. Place the steamer basket into the pan and turn on the heat.

Step 2: Prepare the Asparagus

While the water is heating up, trim the dry, woody ends off the asparagus spears. If your asparagus spears are thick, you may also want to peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler. Rinse the asparagus under cold water to remove any dirt or residue.

Step 3: Steam the Asparagus

Once the water in the steamer pan set is boiling, carefully place the asparagus spears into the steamer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and have enough space to cook evenly. Cover the steamer pan set and let the asparagus steam. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your asparagus spears. For thin spears, steam for about 3 minutes. For thicker spears, steam for 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 4: Serve the Asparagus

Once the asparagus is tender, carefully remove the steamer basket from the pan and transfer the asparagus to a serving platter. You can serve it as-is, or add some melted butter, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your freshly steamed asparagus!

Steamer Pan Set Options

Now that you know how to cook asparagus using a steamer pan set, you might be wondering where to get one. Here are some options for steamer pan sets that you can consider:

• Concord 3 Quart Stainless Steel 3 Piece Steamer Cookware Set: This set includes a 2-quart veggie steamer and a 3-quart cooking pot with a tempered glass lid. It's induction compatible and a best-seller on Amazon.
• Tramontina Steamer Set: This stainless steel steamer set has a 5-quart capacity and is induction-ready. It's a popular choice, with over 200 bought in the past month on Amazon.
• Oster Steamer Stainless Steel Cookware: This 3-quart steamer is a great option if you're looking for a more compact size. It's also a popular choice, with over 2000 bought in the past month on Amazon.
• ZENFUN Stainless Steel Steamer Pot: If you're looking for a smaller steamer pot, this 1.8-quart option is perfect. It comes with a steamer basket and a glass lid, making it a versatile addition to your cookware collection.
• Ninja NeverStick PossiblePan: This premium set includes a 4-quart pan, a steamer/strainer basket, a glass lid, and an integrated spatula. It's a durable and oven-safe option, perfect for steaming asparagus and other vegetables.

Steaming asparagus in the microwave

Preparing the Asparagus:

First, you'll need to trim the woody ends off the asparagus spears. You can do this by snapping off the ends where they naturally break. Hold the spear with one hand at the midpoint and the other near the root end, then bend it until it snaps. Alternatively, you can use a knife to cut off about an inch from the bottom of each spear.

Microwaving the Asparagus:

Place the trimmed asparagus spears in a microwave-safe container that fits them properly, preferably a glass container. Add about 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the dish. Cover the container with a microwave-safe plate or lid.

Microwave the asparagus on high power for approximately 3 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the spears and the strength of your microwave, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. The asparagus is done when it is tender but still slightly firm when pierced with a fork.

Serving:

Once the asparagus is cooked, remove the container from the microwave and carefully take off the plate or lid, as there will be steam. You can serve the asparagus as-is, or with a squeeze of lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste.

Storage:

If you have any leftover steamed asparagus, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container and into the fridge. It can be served cold or reheated gently in the microwave.

Microwaving asparagus is a convenient and healthy way to prepare this delicious vegetable, and with these simple steps, you'll be enjoying tender and tasty asparagus in no time!

Dipping sauces

To cook asparagus out of a steamer bag, you can follow a similar process to steaming asparagus without a bag. First, trim the dry ends off the asparagus spears and peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler if they are thick. Next, pour water into a saucepan and place it on the stove to boil. While you wait for the water to boil, place the asparagus spears in a steamer basket. Once the water is boiling, carefully place the steamer basket in the saucepan, cover, and steam the asparagus until tender-crisp. For thicker spears, this should take about 5 minutes, and for thinner ones, it will take about 3 minutes.

Now, onto the dipping sauces! Here are some ideas for sauces that pair well with asparagus:

Herb Dipping Sauce

This sauce involves blending together scallions, basil, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. The herbs and spices add a nice freshness to the sauce, making it perfect for spring and summer.

Parmesan & Lemon Butter

This sauce is made by melting butter with lemon juice and then stirring in grated parmesan cheese. It's a simple yet elegant sauce that lets the flavour of the asparagus shine through while adding a creamy, tangy twist.

Asian Dressing

For an Asian-inspired dipping sauce, crush chilli with brown sugar, then stir in lime juice until the sugar has dissolved. Next, add soy sauce and sesame oil, and you're done! This sauce will add a nice kick to your asparagus.

Garlic Mayonnaise

A classic combination, this sauce is simply made by mixing crushed garlic cloves with good-quality mayonnaise. It's a tasty, no-fuss option that goes well with many other foods, too.

Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce

This sauce includes a variety of flavours, with ingredients like water, lime juice, lemongrass, shallot, Thai chilli, tamarind paste, and more. It's a great choice if you're looking for something a little more complex and adventurous.

Apricot Dijon Dipping Sauce

For a sweet and tangy sauce, try mixing Dijon-style mustard with red pepper flakes and apricot preserves. This sauce will add a nice fruity twist to your asparagus.

Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce

This sauce includes blue cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, cayenne pepper, and salt. It's a tasty, savoury option that will add a nice creaminess to your asparagus.

There are plenty of other dipping sauce options to explore, but these should give you a good starting point!

Storing steamed asparagus

Firstly, it's important to note that asparagus should be stored in the refrigerator, ideally in the vegetable or crisper drawer. It should not be left at room temperature for longer than a day, and it should not be placed in the coldest spots in the fridge, such as the top shelf or near the ice maker, as it may freeze.

If you're storing cooked asparagus, place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Leftover asparagus may not be as crisp as freshly cooked asparagus, but it still tastes delicious. You can also add it to a pasta dish or soup if you have a lot of leftovers.

If you're storing raw asparagus, wrap the bunch in a few sheets of damp paper towel and place it in a plastic bag. Leave the bag open so that air can circulate. Store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

For longer-term storage of raw asparagus (up to 5 days), trim about 1 inch off the ends of the asparagus stalks. Place the asparagus spears upright in a deep mason jar or a drinking glass with about 1 inch of water at the bottom. Cover the top of the jar with a clean plastic bag and secure it loosely with a rubber band, ensuring the spears have enough room for air circulation.

Change the water in the jar if it starts to look cloudy, and examine the spears to ensure they are still firm and vibrant.

With these storage tips, you can enjoy asparagus for several days and minimise food waste.

Frequently asked questions