[fitgurl]

I really WANT to like asparagus. It is so good for you, but I need to find a healthy recipe to make it taste better. I have only tried the green giant microwave kind and it was very slimey (i'm a texture person) so does anyone have a good recipe that is healthy but not slimey? Maybe grilling it?

[Gelene]

Here is the link to a site that I cook from OFTEN. All the recipes are simple and good. Check it out.

http://allrecipes.com/Search/Recipes...s&SearchIn=All

[fitgurl]

I love that site...thanks

[ars]

My favorite way to cook asparagus when in season is quite simple:
-buy a fresh bunch (they should be hanging out in water)
-chop off the last 1/2 to 1 inch of the stalk just before cooking
-add 1-2 tablespoons of chicken stock or olive oil to a large medium hot frying pan
-throw in a clove of finely minced garlic and cook until golden
-add asparagus in a single layer
-flip once during cooking (more or less a roll with your spatula)
-cook until just bright green and immediately remove from heat
-sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper to taste

If you cook very much past bright green, you'll get the slimy, limp, overdone texture. It's hard to give a cooking time, it varies depending on the size of the asparagus. I usually like bunches that are no more than 1/2 inch in diameter. I find they cook evenly through to the center with good success. Cooked just right, the asparagus will be crisp and snappy when you bite into it (if you were to hold up a piece, it would not flop over). I have not had much success getting frozen asparagus to be anything but slimy and limp once it's cooked since the process of freezing destroys the internal cellular structure of the stalk.

[bacilli]

Roast it in the oven, it's anything but slimy. It gets a little crunchy on the edges and takes on an almost nutty taste.

[bubblelife]

I love asparagus. I usually just roast or grill it with a little olive oil, salt, pepper and a pinch of garlic powder. I either eat it like this or use it like this in other recipes.

I have also made cream of asparagus soup by boiling half of the asparagus bunch with salt and pepper until soft, to that I add some of the grilled asparagus, sautéed onion and roasted garlic (or garlic powder). Place the mixture in a blender or use an immersion blender and blend until creamy (you can also add a tablespoon of olive oil for extra taste). Pour into a bowl. Cut the remaining grilled asparagus into bite size pieces and stir into the soup for texture.

[Jennifer 3FC]

Oh gosh, I hate the slimy stuff as well. I like it best when it is roasted. Rub it down with a little olive oil and sea salt and pop it in the oven. You can also mix in a little soy sauce (if you do, omit the sea salt) or balsamic with it.

[mandalinn82]

Here's another fan of roasted or grilled. After cooking, I toss mine with a mix of lemon zest, garlic that has been minced then smooshed to a fine paste, salt, pepper, and minced parsley.

[fitgurl]

Oh what wonderful recipes! Thanks so much everyone! I am going grocery shopping tomorrow and will get some fresh asparagus! Going to try all of your recipes!!

[fitgurl]

I'll let you know how it turns out...(hopefully not slimy!)

[miatutu]

I do mine the same as bubblelife. I love it with a bit of olive oil, sea salt and freshed cracked pepper. Sometimes I throw in a few cloves of garlic whole. I do it under the broiler or grill. And the cream of asparagus soup is super yummy. I also do the same for zucchini or yellow squash. I think if you try it grilled or roasted you'll like it. My 8 and 11 year old love it, so it must be good.

[Hello Nurse]

I lightly steam mine until tender but still slightly crunchy. Top with a few squirts of butter spray and good to go!

[junebug41]

My favorite side dish at the moment is asparagus chopped into 2 inch pieces with one chopped red pepper, add a couple cloves of chopped garlic and bathe in balsamic, bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes (covered in foil) and voila!

[marigrace]

I agree.. Roasting w/a tsp of olive oil and salt rub is so good....I'll have to get some tomorow