Thick, meaty asparagus is a spring treasure, but to make the most of its short season, you need to put those grassy-flavored spears in heavy rotation. To avoid an asparagus rut, vary your cooking methods. These sweet spears become crisp-tender in no time, so you can pull together an appetizer, side, or main dish with fresh appeal in a matter of minutes.
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RecipeGrilled Asparagus with Parsley-Tarragon Chimichurri
Chimichurri—a garlicky Argentinian herb sauce—is traditionally made with parsley as the primary herb. Here, the addition of fresh tarragon makes it an ideal partner for meaty grilled asparagus. Throw some steaks on the grill while you make the sauce, and dinner is done.
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RecipeAsparagus & Fried Eggs on Garlic Toast
The softly cooked egg yolks in this dish, which works well for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner, become a delicious sauce for the toast and asparagus.
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RecipeGarlicky Shrimp with Asparagus & Lemon
Plump shrimp and sweet asparagus get a flavor kick from ample garlic and crushed red pepper flakes in this easy saucy sauté. -
RecipeShaved Asparagus Salad with Aged Gouda and Hazelnuts
Raw strips of asparagus are crisp, juicy, and great in salads. Allow the asparagus to marinate for no more than 15 minutes; any longer and it will begin to lose its crunchy texture.
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RecipeAsparagus & Mascarpone Gratin with Parmesan Breadcrumbs
This simple yet decadent dish is easy enough to make on a weeknight but special enough (and easily doubled) for a weekend dinner party. -
RecipeStir-Fried Asparagus and Shiitake with Ginger and Sesame
Need dinner in a hurry? Here, the asparagus cooks in minutes and pre-sliced shiitake from the produce section of the supermarket will save you time when prepping the ingredients for this savory stir-fry. -
RecipeLinguine with Roasted Asparagus and Almond Pesto
Swap almonds for the usual pine nuts in this twist on classic pesto, and turn it into a one-dish meal with a few fat grape tomatoes and sweet asparagus. -
RecipeRoasted Salmon & Asparagus with Lemon Oil
Just five ingredients make up this simple meal that celebrates spring. The salmon and asparagus roast side-by-side on one baking sheet to minimize cleanup.
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RecipeAsparagus Salad with Orange, Prosciutto & Pistachios
This makes a pretty first course. Microwaving the asparagus is fast and produces plump, moist results. Be sure to use a loaf pan so the spears stay submerged in water as they cook.
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RecipeBroiled Asparagus & Artichokes with Vermouth Brown Butter
Frozen artichoke hearts are a rushed cook’s secret weapon. Here, they’re broiled with asparagus for deep flavor in minutes. If you don’t have any vermouth on hand for the sauce, you can use dry white wine instead.
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RecipeMacaroni and Cheese with Asparagus and Prosciutto
Because there’s no need to make a separate béchamel, this comforting dish comes together quickly and in the same pot you use to cook the pasta. The only caveat is that the sauce doesn’t hold long, so serve it right away.
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RecipeFresh Tortellini with Asparagus, Peas & Mint
This easy weeknight recipe is a complete one-dish meal. Cooking the pasta, peas, and asparagus together is efficient, and adding goat cheese at the end creates a creamy sauce.
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RecipePanang Curry with Chicken, Asparagus, and Mushrooms
Fragrant, peanut-laced Panang curry paste and coconut milk become the foundation for this quick curry. Create your own custom Thai curry with the Recipe Maker.
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RecipePan-Steamed Asparagus with Lemon-Caper Mayonnaise
Stirring a few brightly flavored ingredients into store-bought mayonnaise gives you a tangy sauce for simple steamed asparagus. The sauce is also delicious with fish, especially salmon.
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RecipeAsparagus and Egg Pizza
A pizza topped with asparagus and melty fontina cheese is delicious. But crack some eggs on it toward the end of baking, and you take it to a whole different level. The eggs, which cook just enough to set the whites but leave the yolks a little runny, create a luscious sauce after they are broken into.
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RecipeRaw Asparagus Pesto
This bright-green, fresh-tasting pesto is perfect for spreading on sandwiches, tossing with hot pasta, or slathering on crostini.
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RecipeWilted Arugula Salad with Asparagus, Bacon & Almonds
You won’t believe how incredible this simple combination of crunchy almonds, crisp bacon, and tender asparagus and arugula is. It’s a game changer. The arugula will wilt as it sits, though, so serve it right away.
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RecipeRoasted Asparagus with Almond-Thyme Crumbs
This simple spring side is dressy enough for Easter dinner, but quick and easy enough for a weeknight. -
RecipeBroiled Asparagus & Orange Slices with Olive Oil & Shallots
Only a handful of ingredients are needed for this quick, bright side, and despite being incredibly simple, it’s gorgeous on a platter, making it a company-worthy side. -
RecipeAsparagus, Goat Cheese & Bacon Tart
This tasty tart is just right for spring. It's easy enough to make it meatless, too; simply omit the bacon. Be sure to cook the pastry fully to get it light and crisp.
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RecipeRoasted Asparagus and Fresh Herb Grilled Cheese
In this brightly flavored, colorful sandwich, a little soft ricotta helps make the mix of mozzarella and Parmigiano more cohesive and evenly dispersed. Though it features three fresh herbs, you can use just two or even one in a pinch.
