NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

alina Posted: Feb 05, 2003 02:36 PM

NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

I am reposting this from the Slim Down Board, b/c I want to make it tonight!!! Please help

I have never cooked asparagus before, but would like to try it with toasted almonds.

Should I

a)Steam the asparagus and then add the toasted almonds, and if I steam then what is the proper way (do I put asparagus in cold or boiling water and how long do I keep it there)?

b)saute the asparagus with almonds in the same pan with a bit of olive oil. And if I follow this, which goes first on the pan asparagus or almonds?

The desired taste is crunchy, not limpy/overcooked!

Thank you

OctBride03 Posted: Feb 05, 2003 02:38 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

I guess I didn't help much

MarcellaBella Posted: Feb 05, 2003 02:48 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

why not grill the asparagus?

then you can pour the sauteed almonds and juices over the grilled asparagus...

heidla Posted: Feb 05, 2003 02:49 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

I make a lot of veggies ( including asparagus ) by applying just a little olive oil, salt, pepper and roasting them in the oven for about 5-10 minutes. They come out so yummy. When I steam them I just boil a little water and place them in a steamer inside the pan. If you don't have a steamer you can boil just an inch or two of water and place the asparagus in there with the lid on for about 2- 5 minutes.

alina Posted: Feb 05, 2003 03:09 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

Marcella and Heidla, Thank you for advice... I guess I'll try either roasting or steaming them!

Grilling is not an option b/c I don't like to use FH's grill, everything sticks to it, its the biggest pain to clean and it would be too small for the asparagus.

Lauren, please don't be upset, I was just looking for a few more answers!!! I liked your advice too

MarcellaBella Posted: Feb 05, 2003 03:12 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

sure thing.. just a bit of advice.. don't steam them for long, veggies have a way of getting real soggy very quickly and they lose their nutrients if they are steamed for too long.. 2-5 mintues as said is perfect..

just sautee your almonds and seasonings in the other pan first.. then by the time the 2-5 minutes are up you can combine the two..

alina Posted: Feb 05, 2003 03:15 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

Thanks Marcella You guys will get the report tomorrow

OctBride03 Posted: Feb 05, 2003 03:16 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

Alina, no offense taken at all! Have fun cooking!

heidla Posted: Feb 05, 2003 03:19 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

Good luck!!!

Misty Posted: Feb 05, 2003 03:21 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

Here's a recipe...

1 lb medium to thick asparagus (don't try to use the thin stuff for this)
1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1 pinch sugar
1 teaspoon sliced or slivered almonds, lightly toasted
2 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
2 to 3 teaspoons vegetable oil

Snap off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus. Slice the rest on the diagonal. Parboil for about two minutes. Rinse in cold running water to stop the cooking process and drain. (Can be done well ahead of time).

Heat the oil and toss the scallions for 15- 20 seconds. Add the parboiled asparagus and stir fry on high flame until thoroughly heated. Stir in the salt& sugar, then the almonds. Serve immediately.

alina Posted: Feb 05, 2003 03:23 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

Oooh, a full recipe, yay!!!

I'll try it without the scallions though, and maybe toast the nuts first.

alina Posted: Feb 05, 2003 11:38 PM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

Ok, I tried doing asparagus yesterday.
I steamed the whole stalks for about 3-4 mins, at which point they were almost ready but not quite. Then I toasted some almonds with a tiny hint of olive oil and a clove of garlic, in a skillet, and when almonds were almost done, I added sliced asparagus. The end result was terrific and FH loved it, but asparagus was not uniformly prepared, some of it was a bit undercooked.
Also, almonds toast superfast, so next time here is what I'll do: I'll add the tougher parts of asparagus, after its been steamed to the almond/garlic mixture and cook it all together for probably a minute or so, and then will add the more tender asparagus pieces to let them finish their cooking. Then turn off the flame and let the whole thing finish cooking on the hot skillet. This should yield a more evenly cooked asparagus and less burnt almonds.

Thank you everyone for recipes and suggestions

positanos Posted: Feb 06, 2003 11:32 AM

Re: NWR Cooking Asparagus with Toasted Almonds

I love asparagus - a tip about steaming:

Snap off the white ends, clean the stalks. Boil water in a large pot. Tie the aspargus back together (like you found it in the store) and steam them standing up (make sure that the tips are not in the water). About 5 minutes should be good. (You should be able to pierce the side with a fork).

And in case you're interested:
This is also a great way to steam artichokes, which I also love. Cut the top 1/3 off the artichoke and snip all of the ends with shears. Steam it upside down (probably have to use a pot lid to keep them down. Then just serve with balsamic vinagrette for dipping. Yummy!