Cook and prepare asparagus properly

What is the difference between white and green asparagus?

Since green asparagus grows above the ground, it needs less peeling than white asparagus. (Photo by: belchonock / Depositphotos)

Both green and white asparagus are easy to prepare, they only differ in the cooking time.

The advantage of green asparagus is that, unlike white asparagus, it has to be peeled less or not at all, as it grows above the ground. It also tastes spicier and heartier than white pale asparagus.

Tip: If you like it cheaper, buy it Broken asparagus. This is ideal for soups, asparagus salad or mixed vegetables – dishes for which the sticks are cut up anyway. Peeling is a little more laborious than with whole sticks, but the quality is the same.

How do you properly peel asparagus?

Peel the white asparagus

It is best to peel the white asparagus with an asparagus or peeler. Start a little below the head and peel all around towards the end.

Peel the green asparagus

Green asparagus does not have to be peeled throughout. If the lower third of the asparagus is purple-whitish in color and is hard, this part should be peeled.

Prepare asparagus

Check the peeled white asparagus for peel remains, wash and cut off the woody ends (usually the lower third).

Wash the green asparagus and only cut the ends off about a finger’s width.

How do you cook asparagus properly?

Asparagus can be cooked standing in a special pot with an insert or lying down. (Photo by: NikD51 / Depositphotos)

Bring salted water to the boil and as soon as the water boils, add the asparagus to the pot – whether standing in a special pot with an insert or lying down, that may be up to you.

Asparagus can be portioned with kitchen twine before cooking: Tie around 8 sticks each, which corresponds to around 400 grams.

How long does asparagus have to cook before it is done?

The cooking time of asparagus is a matter of taste. Some prefer it soft, others prefer it firm to the bite.

In general, the thicker the asparagus, the longer the cooking time.

Green asparagus has a shorter cooking time than white.

As a rule of thumb you can say:

• Quality class I bars (i.e. the thick ones) usually: 10-15 minutes
• Grade II bars: 8-10 minutes
• Very thin sticks, like the green ones, are hardly peeled and only take 5-8 minutes.

Tip: You can tell the perfect cooking time when you lift the asparagus out of the water with a fork. At the optimal cooking point, the asparagus only has a slight curve. But if it hangs limply on both sides, it was that with the firmness.

Tip: replace salt with a pinch of fondor – it spices up a little differently!

How does asparagus not get bitter?

Add a pinch of sugar to the cooking water – this removes bitter substances from the asparagus.

How does green asparagus stay green when cooked?

So that green asparagus does not lose its strong color when cooking, add a dash of white vinegar or lemon juice to the cooking water. In addition, rinse the cooked asparagus with ice water after cooking.

Serve the asparagus

Asparagus is very healthy, low in calories and can be prepared in many ways. (Photo by: fredgreenhat / Depositphotos)

Drain to serve and serve with (pellet) potatoes and melted butter. A hollandaise sauce, smoked, Parma or Serrano ham, as well as fish or veal schnitzel are also ideal accompaniments.

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