Master Recipe for Steamed Asparagus
By America's Test KitchenPublished on August 22, 2007
Time
10 minutes
Yield
Serves 4
Ingredients
Before You Begin
To steam asparagus, all you need is a collapsible steamer basket (even a wire cooling rack will do, as long as it fits into the steaming vessel) and a pot with a lid—a large saute pan, a soup kettle, or a roasting pan with a makeshift tinfoil lid are all possibilities. Just keep the asparagus above the water level and keep the pot covered. You may also use a bamboo steamer and a wok, but add a few minutes to the cooking time.
Instructions
- Bring 1 inch water to boil in a soup kettle. Put asparagus in steamer basket then carefully place steamer basket in kettle; cover and steam over medium-high heat until asparagus spears bend slightly when picked up and flesh at cut end yields when squeezed, 4 to 5 minutes for asparagus under 1/2-inch in diameter, 5 to 6 minutes for the jumbo size.
- Drain and serve asparagus immediately with suggested accompaniments or plunge spears immediately into ice water to stop the cooking process. (You may cover and refrigerate cooled and drained asparagus overnight.)
Time
10 minutesYield
Serves 4Ingredients
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
Test Kitchen Techniques
Before You Begin
To steam asparagus, all you need is a collapsible steamer basket (even a wire cooling rack will do, as long as it fits into the steaming vessel) and a pot with a lid—a large saute pan, a soup kettle, or a roasting pan with a makeshift tinfoil lid are all possibilities. Just keep the asparagus above the water level and keep the pot covered. You may also use a bamboo steamer and a wok, but add a few minutes to the cooking time.
Instructions
- Bring 1 inch water to boil in a soup kettle. Put asparagus in steamer basket then carefully place steamer basket in kettle; cover and steam over medium-high heat until asparagus spears bend slightly when picked up and flesh at cut end yields when squeezed, 4 to 5 minutes for asparagus under 1/2-inch in diameter, 5 to 6 minutes for the jumbo size.
- Drain and serve asparagus immediately with suggested accompaniments or plunge spears immediately into ice water to stop the cooking process. (You may cover and refrigerate cooled and drained asparagus overnight.)
Gift This Recipe
Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.
Appears In
Keep Exploring
0 Comments