Asparagus is a vegetable from Asia Minor and the eastern Mediterranean areas. The Romans and Greeks have enjoyed these tender and succulent plants since the ancient times. The shoots and roots of this plant contain saponins that are known to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory qualities. Eating asparagus has been linked to improved regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure levels plus better management in the levels of blood fats in the circulation.
Since these plants have high respiration rate (withers fast), they should be consumed immediately and cooked quickly – just enough for a fork to penetrate the shoots. These shoots are usually cooked blanched or steamed.
However, they can also be cooked in a pan or grilled. But you need to know how to cook asparagus in a pan the right way in order to savor its taste.
Cooked quite al dente, the stalks are very delicious. To cook asparagus spears in a pan, you simply place the spears in your saucepan and add a small amount of water – just enough to cover them. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat and let it cook for an additional 5 to 8 minutes (depends actually on how tender you like the shoots to be). After this, remove the asparagus, place it on a plate and add a dash of pepper, salt and a little olive oil.
Another delicious way to cook these plants is grilling them to bring out their natural flavor. Plus it would preserve their nutritional value better. To do this, you need to warm up your grill (gas or charcoal). Make sure that the bottom of the asparagus is properly trimmed.
Then rub a small amount of olive oil and sprinkle a dash of salt and pepper (or your favorite seasoning). Once done, place them on the heated grill to cook. Check them occasionally. Once they start to turn soft, remove and serve them hot and fresh. This is the best way on how to grill asparagus.
Whichever way you cook these delicious and healthy vegetable, one thing you need to keep in mind is to cook them fresh. Canned asparagus would yield a different taste.