Asparagus Recipes: Frugal Flashback

Welcome to another Frugal Flashback Simple Saturday post.

Spring is here and that means that stores are full of this nutritious and healthy veggie. Do you like Asparagus or do you shy away because it makes you smell funny? I thought I might offer up some of my favorite recipes for Asparagus along with a few Asparagus facts.

As a kid my grandparents would take my cousin and I on Spring Asparagus hunts. We would walk along the ditches and pick bag fulls for dinner. I was too you to remember where we went to forage for it only that it took hours to get there. In doing some research the Salt Lake City Foodie reports that you can still find it in the Logan area. If anyone knows please feel free to leave a comment.

Asparagus packs a great nutritional punch. It is low in Saturated Fat, and Cholesterol. It is a good source of Vitamin B6, Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc, Dietary Fiber, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper, Manganese and Selenium.

Best Way to Store Asparagus

When you get it home, chop off an inch or two from the ends and release the bundle from the rubber band. Place it in a couple of inches of water and cover it loosely with a storage or produce bag. Don't tighten the bag, you want it to be able to breath. The bag will create a humid environment and the Asparagus will thrive there. Store it in the fridge and it will last for weeks

Grilled Asparagus

Asparagus is great coated with a little olive oil and salt. Grill lightly outside on the grill or inside on grill pan works too. You can also roast in the oven. We like it this way all summer long. But, if you want to get creative, here are 4 simple recipes to try.

Asparagus Recipes for Breakfast:

Slice 3 Asparagus spears thinly. Leave the inch at the tops whole. Saute the Asparagus for a minute or two in Olive with a pinch of salt. Add a handful of Spinach leaves and some fresh herbs to your liking. I like a couple of leaves of basil thinly sliced. Continue to cook until the Spinach is wilted.

Add 1/2 cup of Egg Beaters or 2 fresh beaten eggs to your veggie mixture and cook until the eggs are done. Top your Eggs with some tomato slices, fresh ground pepper and grated Parmesan cheese. Tada, enjoy a healthy and delicious breakfast in about 5 minutes.

Asparagus Recipes for Snacking:

The licorice flavor from the Taragon in these pickles makes them really unique. For my veggies I used a package of baby squash you often find at Costco and about 10 Asparagus spears cut in half. It could not be simpler, just combine all the ingredients in a big jar. These are delicious on salad too.

• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups water water
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 bay leaf 3 – 4 sprigs of tarragon
• 4 green onions, cut in half and then halved lengthwise
• 1 lemon thinly sliced

Recipe inspiration My Recipes.com

Asparagus Recipe for Lunch

Steam about 10 Asparagus spears in salted water for 3-5 minutes until just tender. Prepare 1 cup of dry Quinoa as directed on the package.  Combine Asparagus, Quinoa, 1 cup of frozen peas, fresh ground pepper and the dressing. Place mixture in butter lettuce leaves and top with avocado. Add Chicken or Kidney Beans for protein if you like.

Mix Dressing ingredients.

• 1 Tablespoon honey (I used Brazilian Pepper from The Honey Stop)
• 1 Orange Zested and Juiced Fresh cracked black pepper
• 1/2 Tablespoon Fresh Grated Ginger
• 1/2 Table Spoon grainy mustard
• 2-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Recipe inspired by TwoPeasAndTheirPod

Asparagus Recipes for Dessert

I thought this funky recipe that was inspired by WhatsForLunch Honey, seemed like the perfect end. I think the little spears of White Asparagus look like fireworks popping out of the cups and this would be a great sweet salad offering for a Forth of July celebration.

Just double the Dressing recipe above minus the Olive oil and Mustard.

• 2 Tablespoon honey (I used Blackberry from The Honey Stop)
• 2 Orange Zested and Juiced Fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Grated Ginger

Steam the top 3 – 4 inches of 15 White Asparagus spears until just tender (about 3-4 minutes). I found the White Asparagus at Harmon's. Cool immediately in an ice bath and dry on a clean towel. Combine Asparagus, Sliced Strawberries and Blackberries with the dressing. Top with Orange Zest and Enjoy!

Asparagus Food Fact: Why it makes you smell funny.

And, one last note about Asparagus. Do you shy away from Asparagus because… well… you think it makes you smell funny after eating? You might take some pleasure in knowing you are not alone. This phenomenon happens to an estimated 20 – 50% of people. Check out this article from DailyCal.org.

What's your favorite way to prepare Asparagus?