Despite the snow that fell in Syracuse yesterday, spring is pretty much upon us. And along with the warming sun and astronomical pollen count comes that earliest of vegetable bloomers, asparagus.
I don’t know about you guys, but during April and May, I buy as much asparagus as humanly possible. (Perhaps an exaggeration, but you catch my drift.) What's more, I’m always looking for different ways to prepare it. Because I loves me some roasted shoots, but after awhile, you know – variety, spice of life – all that jazz.
This may be coming a week or two early in some areas, but this compilation of 81 asparagus recipes should keep you in the culinary clear until next year. FYI, the criteria for each chosen dish were as follows:
- It had to include inexpensive, easy-to-find ingredients.
- It had to be healthy according to how we usually do it on this blog. Meaning: mostly made up of whole food ingredients, lower in fat and calories, high in vitamins in minerals, etc.
- If it came from an aggregate recipe site (Cooking Light, All Recipes, etc.), it had to have had a high approval rating from reviewers. If it came from a food blog, I just trust it. We’re trustworthy people, see.
- No Cream of Anything soup or mayonnaise. Because I hate them.
BREAKFAST
CHG: Asparagus, Mushroom and Parmesan Frittata: Basements and Breakfast
CHG: Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg & ParmesanFood Network: Asparagus, Canadian Bacon, and Cheese Frittata
Use egg whites for a lighter dish.
Kalyn’s Kitchen: Asparagus and Tomato Frittata with Havarti and Dill
Sub in a few egg whites and reduce the cheese for a lighter dish.
Kalyn’s Kitchen: Breakfast Casserole with Asparagus, Mushrooms, and Cheese
Sub in a few egg whites for a lighter dish.
Real Simple: Asparagus and Soft Eggs on Toast
Use four eggs and 1/3rd of the olive oil for a lighter meal
Real Simple: Asparagus Spinach Pancakes
Halve the oil (at least) and use a nonstick skillet.
MAINS – CARNIVORE
Eating Well: Chili-Rubbed Tilapia with Asparagus and Lemon
Eating Well: Wok-Seared Chicken Tenders with Asparagus and Pistachios
Everyday Food: Chicken and Asparagus Rolls
Everyday Food: Sauteed Chicken with Asparagus and Mushrooms
RecipeZaar: Thai Rice Noodles with Chicken and Asparagus
Simply Recipes: Flank Steak Stir Fry with Asparagus and Red Peppers
MAINS – VEGETARIAN
101 Cookbooks: Asparagus Stir-Fry
101 Cookbooks: In a Hurry Green Curry
All Recipes: Asparagus and Goat Cheese Quesadillas
All Recipes: Fresh Asparagus Risotto
Cooking Light: Chili-Glazed Tofu over Asparagus and Rice
Cooking Light: Lemon Risotto with Asparagus
Everyday Food: Grilled Pizzas with Asparagus and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Use low-fat ricotta.
Everyday Food: Polenta Wedges with Asparagus and Mushrooms
FatFree Vegan Kitchen: Polenta with Lemony Asparagus and Chickpeas
RecipeZaar: Baked Asparagus Spinach Risotto
PASTA
CHG: Whole Wheat Pasta with Asparagus and Turkey Sausage
Cooking Light: Linguine with Asparagus, Parmesan, and Bacon
Cooking Light: Straw and Hay Alfredo with Roasted Asparagus
Eating Well: Creamy Asparagus PastaEveryday Food: Asparagus, Snap Pea, and Avocado Pasta
Everyday Food: Spaghetti with Shaved Asparagus
Real Simple: Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Lemon
SALADS - GRAINS
101 Cookbooks: Spring Tabbouleh
Reduce walnuts for a lighter dish.
101 Cookbooks: Ten-Minute Tasty Asparagus and Brown Rice
Add the dressing only as needed for a lighter dish.
All Recipes: Asparagus Cashew Rice Pilaf
All Recipes: Asparagus, Feta, and Couscous Salad
RecipeZaar: Asparagus Pilaf Rice
SALADS - VEGGIE
101 Cookbooks: Asparagus Salad
CHG: Chlorophyll and Awesomeness Salad
Epicurious: Asparagus and Mushroom Salad with Shaved Parmesan
Epicurious: Asparagus Salad with Sweet Balsamic Vinegar
Epicurious: Roasted Asparagus Salad with Tangerine Dressing
Kalyn’s Kitchen: Salad with Asparagus, Cherry Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, and Feta
Ooo … this looks good.
RecipeZaar: Strawberry Asparagus Salad
SIDES
CHG: Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter
CHG: Roasted Asparagus and Chickpeas
CHG: Steamed Asparagus
All Recipes: Asian Asparagus Salad with Pecans
All Recipes: Asparagus with Parmesan Crust
All Recipes: Baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce
All Recipes: Cold Asparagus with Prosciutto and Lemon
All Recipes: Grilled Soy Sesame Asparagus
All Recipes: Orange Glazed Asparagus
All Recipes: Sauteed Garlic Asparagus
Cooking Light: Steamed Asparagus with Lemon-Garlic Gremolata
Cooking Light: Asparagus and Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
Cooking Light: Mustard-Sauced Asparagus with Chopped Egg
Cooking Light: Spicy Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus
Eating Well: Asparagus with Curry Butter
Epicurious: Asparagus, Peas, and Basil
Epicurious: Proscuitto-Wrapped Asparagus with Mint Dressing
Everyday Food: Broccoli, Asparagus, and Snap Peas in Parchment
Everyday Food: Sauteed Scallions, Mushrooms, and Asparagus
FatFree Vegan Kitchen: Wasabi Roasted Asparagus
Food Network/Emeril: Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Kalyn’s Kitchen: Slow-Roasted Asparagus
Real Simple: Honey Lime Asparagus with Goat Cheese
Real Simple: Pan Roasted New Potatoes with Asparagus
RecipeZaar: Feta Asparagus
RecipeZaar: Foil Baked Asparagus
RecipeZaar: Guilt-Free Guacamole (Asparagus)
RecipeZaar: Ginger Sesame Asparagus
RecipeZaar: Roasted Asparagus with Sage and Lemon Butter
RecipeZaar: Sauteed Asparagus with Red Peppers and Olives
RecipeZaar: Sugared Asparagus
RecipeZaar: Apricot-Glazed Roasted Asparagus
RecipeZaar: Asparagus with Thyme
RecipeZaar: Asparagus Provencal
Stephen Cooks: Grilled Asparagus a la Sutherland
SOUPS
All Recipes: Fresh Asparagus Soup
RecipeZaar: Asparagus Orzo Soup
Simply Recipes: Creamy Asparagus Soup
Reduce some of the cream for a lighter soup.
Yum Sugar: Easy Cream-less Asparagus Soup
And that’s it. Any good recipes you know about, sweet readers? Add ‘em in the comments
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