Steaming Asparagus: The Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker Way

The Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker® is a handy tool for making quick, healthy meals and sides. It comes in different sizes and is BPA-free. To steam asparagus in the Micro-Cooker, follow these steps: trim the woody ends of the asparagus, rinse, and place on a damp paper towel or in the steamer basket. Season with salt, and optionally drizzle with olive oil. Then, place the asparagus in the Micro-Cooker with a small amount of water and microwave for 3-5 minutes, or until tender. For an extra touch, dress the warm asparagus with butter or hollandaise sauce.

How to steam asparagus in the Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker

The Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker® is a handy tool for making quick, healthy meals and steaming veggies is a breeze. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam asparagus in the Micro-Cooker:

Step 1: Prepare the Asparagus

Start by rinsing and trimming a bunch of asparagus. For microwave steaming, medium and thin asparagus are best, as thicker stems may cook less evenly. Cut off 1 to 1 1/2 inches of the woody stem from the bottom of each spear.

Step 2: Prepare the Micro-Cooker

Fill the base of the Shallow Micro-Cooker with 3/4 cup (175 mL) of water. Place the tray on top of the base.

Step 3: Arrange the Asparagus

Place the trimmed asparagus on the tray. You can season the asparagus with salt, or other seasonings of your choice, such as lemon pepper rub.

Step 4: Cover and Microwave

Cover the tray with the lid. Place the Micro-Cooker in the microwave and cook on high power for 3 to 5 minutes. Check the asparagus halfway through cooking and stir if needed. The asparagus is ready when it is crisp-tender.

Step 5: Serve

Remove the Micro-Cooker from the microwave. You can serve the asparagus as-is or with toppings such as butter, hollandaise sauce, vinaigrette, or grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips:

• For extra flavour, try adding halved grape tomatoes and grated Parmesan cheese to the asparagus after cooking and letting it sit for 1 minute, or until the cheese melts.
• If you want to add a crunchy topping, try making toasted breadcrumbs by processing 2 slices of white sandwich bread in a food processor until finely chopped. Toss the breadcrumbs with olive oil and microwave for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until slightly brown and crispy.
• For a nutty flavour, toast sliced almonds in the base of the Micro-Cooker for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the cooked asparagus.

Trimming the asparagus

Firstly, it is important to identify the woody part of the asparagus stem, which is typically the bottom 1 to 1 1/2 inches of the spear. This part is tougher and less palatable, so it is best to remove it. Using a sharp knife or even your hands, carefully snap or cut off the woody ends from each asparagus spear. You may discard these ends or choose to reuse them in a vegetable broth or another recipe.

When trimming, it is recommended to cut the asparagus at the point where the colour changes from white to green, or from white to purple, depending on the variety. This ensures you remove the fibrous part while retaining the tender, flavourful portion of the spear.

After trimming, give the asparagus a quick rinse under cold running water to remove any dirt or residue. You can also soak the asparagus in cold water for a few minutes to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. Once cleaned, gently pat the asparagus dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels.

If you prefer your asparagus in smaller, bite-sized pieces, you can cut the spears into 1- to 2-inch segments after trimming. However, for steaming in the Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker, leaving the spears whole is also an option, as the cooker can accommodate various sizes.

Remember, the key to trimming asparagus is to remove the woody, fibrous part while retaining the tender, edible portion of the spear. This step ensures that your steamed asparagus is not only aesthetically pleasing but also has an optimal texture and taste when cooked.

Preparing the paper towels

Firstly, gather four large paper towels. You will need these to wrap the asparagus and create a steaming effect in the microwave. The number of paper towels may vary depending on the size of the asparagus bundle, but generally, four paper towels should be sufficient.

Next, dampen the paper towels. Take your four paper towels and wet them with a small amount of water. You can do this by spritzing or pouring a few tablespoons of water onto them. Make sure the paper towels are damp but not soaking wet. If they are too wet, gently squeeze out the excess water. This step is important because the damp paper towels will create a steaming environment for the asparagus, ensuring even cooking.

Now, lay out the damp paper towels on a clean, flat surface. Place the trimmed asparagus spears in a single layer on top of the paper towels. This preparation ensures that the asparagus cooks evenly and prevents it from drying out during the microwaving process.

At this point, you can season the asparagus with salt or other desired seasonings. A light sprinkling of salt will enhance the natural flavours of the asparagus. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as black pepper or dried herbs, to suit your taste preferences.

Finally, carefully roll the asparagus up in the damp paper towels. Start from one end and gently roll the asparagus into a compact bundle, with the paper towels spiralled around it. This bundle will now be placed in the microwave for cooking.

By following these steps, you will have prepared the paper towels effectively for steaming asparagus in the Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker. The paper towels will help trap the moisture and create a steaming environment, resulting in perfectly cooked asparagus.

Seasoning the asparagus

Seasoning asparagus is a great way to add flavour and make it a tasty side dish. There are several ways to season asparagus, and the method you choose will depend on your personal preference and the desired level of seasoning. Here are some options for seasoning asparagus when steaming it in a Pampered Chef Micro Cooker:

Salt

Sprinkle salt over the asparagus before rolling it into the damp paper towels and microwaving. This simple seasoning enhances the natural flavour of the asparagus.

Parmesan Cheese

Top your steamed asparagus with grated Parmesan cheese. The salty, savoury flavour of Parmesan pairs well with the grassy notes of asparagus.

Balsamic Vinegar

Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the cooked asparagus for a tangy kick. The acidity of the vinegar brightens the dish and balances the other flavours.

Toasted Breadcrumbs

For a crunchy texture and nutty flavour, top your asparagus with toasted breadcrumbs. Process two slices of white sandwich bread into fine crumbs, mix with olive oil, and microwave until slightly brown and crispy.

Toasted Almonds

Toasted almonds add a crunchy texture and a rich, buttery flavour to the asparagus. Toast sliced almonds in the base of the Micro Cooker until golden brown, then sprinkle over the cooked asparagus.

Lemon Pepper

For a zesty kick, season your asparagus with lemon pepper before cooking. Alternatively, you can toss the asparagus in a mixture of olive oil and lemon pepper rub for an extra punch of flavour.

Butter or Vinaigrette

A classic way to season asparagus is to dress it with butter or vinaigrette. The butter will melt over the warm asparagus, adding a rich, creamy element. A vinaigrette, on the other hand, adds a tangy, herby flavour.

Hollandaise Sauce

For a decadent touch, serve your steamed asparagus with a side of hollandaise sauce. This creamy, rich sauce complements the asparagus beautifully.

When seasoning asparagus, you can get creative and experiment with different combinations of the above suggestions. For example, you could sprinkle Parmesan cheese and toasted almonds over the asparagus, or drizzle it with butter and balsamic vinegar.

Cooking time

The cooking time for steaming asparagus in the Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker varies depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears and the desired level of doneness. Here is a step-by-step guide with estimated cooking times:

First, prepare the asparagus by rinsing and trimming the ends. The bottom 1 to 1.5 inches of the woody stem should be removed.

Next, dampen some paper towels. You can do this by wetting four layers of paper towels with a quarter cup of water and then squeezing out the excess. Place the asparagus on the dampened paper towels, adding a sprinkle of salt if desired.

Now, roll the asparagus into a bundle inside the paper towels. Place the bundle in the microwave, seam-side down, and cook on high power.

For thin to medium asparagus spears, start with a cooking time of 3 minutes. Check the asparagus for doneness; it should be tender-crisp. If it needs more time, microwave for an additional minute.

For thicker asparagus spears, increase the initial cooking time to 5 minutes. Again, check for doneness and add more time if needed.

Always use tongs to remove the asparagus bundle from the microwave to avoid burning yourself.

With these simple steps and estimated cooking times, you can easily steam asparagus to your desired level of doneness in the Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker.

Frequently asked questions