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Why Is Asparagus Good For
Us?
Asparagus in its pure form is
very healthy. Not only is it loaded with vitamins and nutrients,
but the vegetable is low in calories and perfect for losing weight
(you might think all vegetables are low in calories but think
avocado, which is not).
Asparagus is extremely rich
in nutrients and vitamins that help the body maintain health.
Asparagus contains large amounts of:
* Vitamin K which helps the
body prevent blood clots.
* Folate which helps the body produce red blood cells and DNA
and also prevents neural defects in children while in the womb.
* Vitamin C, an antioxidant required for hundreds of metabolic
function in the body
Because of the folate it contains,
asparagus is also great for the heart, preventing cardiovascular
diseases and reducing heart attacks. Asparagus is also a natural
diuretic, meaning it helps flush the body of excess water and
prevents swelling, arthritis and rheumatism. Medicinally, asparagus
extracts have been prescribed to help treat urinary tract infections.
Selecting and Storing Asparagus
A perfect green asparagus spear
has rounded stalks and deep green or purple tops. When choosing
your asparagus, make sure the bottom ends are round, not fat,
and do not feel like wood. When you purchase fresh asparagus,
try and use it right away for the best flavor and nutrients.
If you need to store your asparagus,
use the refrigerator. Wrap their ends in a damp paper towel and
keep them away from any light.
Other Varieties of Asparagus
The most widely known and used
variety of asparagus is green, but asparagus also comes in two
other colors: white and purple. Because all three varieties have
different flavors, they lend themselves to very different dishes.
White - The same plant as green
asparagus, white asparagus is simply grown in different lighting,
preventing green color and producing a less bitter taste than
green asparagus. This variety is popular in Europe, particularly,
Purple - Sweeter than green
and white asparagus, purple asparagus was originally developed
in Italy and has less fiber. It's now also being bred in New
Zealand and the United States.
Our Favorite Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus Appetizer Recipes
For a unique spring treat, incorporate
asparagus into your appetizer at your next party or gathering.
Asparagus Rolls -These asparagus
rolls are a HUGE hit at every party. You can experiment a little
with the ingredients. Be creative!
Aspragus Gruyere Tart - This
delicious, puff-pastry, asparagus and Gruyère cheese tart
is great for a special occasion, such as the Easter day feast.
Snappy Asparagus Dip - This
different dip has lots of different flavors going on, making
it really fabulous!
Asparagus, Orange and Endive
Salad - Endive is a slightly bitter green that is very high in
folic acid and vitamins A and K. The sweet orange balances it
nicely in this refreshing salad.
Creamy Asparagus Chowder - This
is a tasty cream soup with the distinct flavor of asparagus blending
with thyme, marjoram and cheese.
Asparagus Side Dish Recipes
Seeing as asparagus is a vegetable,
it's always a good idea to whip up some asparagus for a side
dish to your healthy meal. Simply steam it and serve or try one
of these extra delicious recipes.
Citrus Asparagus Saute - This
is a very light vegetable with excellent flavor from the orange
juice.
Grilled California Asparagus
with Romesco Sauce - With sun-dried tomato and white wine vinegar,
this asparagus is truly gourmet.
Asparagus with Garlic Brown
Butter - Everything tastes good with garlic and butter!
Asparagus with Orange Sauce
- A wonderful and flavorful sauce to top asparagus with.
Breaded Asparagus Sticks - This
is a fun dish for appetizer or side dish. It could also be a
way to bribe your kids into eating greens: fry 'em!
Asparagus Almondine - Add some
toasted almonds along with lemon juice to your steamed asparagus
for an excellent side dish.
Balsamic Asparagus - This simple
recipe is very elegant and enhanced by O Olive Oil port balsamic
vinegar!
Roasted Asparagus with Feta
- Serve this robust dish alongside grilled steak or pork.
Asparagus with Ginger Flavored
Soy Sauce - Simply seasoned, asparagus dish uses Asian flavors.
The perfect accompaniment for any stir fry.
Scalloped Asparagus - This creamy
dish will appease even asparagus fearers.
Asparagus Main Course Recipes
Asparagus is often served as
a side dish but don't forget it can also shine as the main ingredient!
Cook some spears up in a taco or make a stirfry. Try these recommended
recipes.
Asparagus Chicken - This is
an incredibly tender chicken recipe with very easy prep. This
would probably work for pork chops as well.
Beef and Asparagus Stir Fry
- This healthy stir fry recipe is wonderful. The beef goes great
with the fresh asparagus and bell peppers.
Grilled Asparagus Tacos - Serve
those green vegetables in a taco and your kids will gobble them
up.
Chicken Asparagus Parmesan -
This easy dish tastes like you just paid a lot of money for it.
It is delicious and the asparagus goes well with the parmesan
cheese.
Asparagus and Shrimp with Toasted
Bread Crumbs, Garlic and Lemon - This elaborate-sounding dish
is actually quite simple to make and absolutely delicious.
Asparagus Casserole Recipes
Veggies always make great additions
to casseroles, especially asparagus! Chop it up, add to the rest
of your ingredients, and voila!
Chicken Asparagus Casserole
- This casserole is absolutely delicious. The mixture of cream
of mushroom soup with asparagus and chicken is to die for.
Asparagus and Onion Casserole
-
Green Asparagus Casserole -
For variations on this dish, add green peas, cooked cubed celery
or hard-cooked egg slices. Also, it may be used as an entree
if the white meat of chicken is put on the bottom of the casserole.
Amazing Asparagus Casserole
- A great recipe that is easy to prepare. This asparagus casserole
is always a big hit at potluck get-togethers.
Asparagus Casserole - Excellent
for those special occasions and carry in dinners.
Asparagus and Egg Recipes
Asparagus is really popular
during Easter not just because it's a spring ingredient but because
it tastes great with eggs! Serve any of these asparagus and egg
recipes at your next brunch!
Bacon and Asparagus Frittata
- Another great brunch dish with crunchy asparagus and creamy
cheese.
Italian Asparagus Quiche - This
yummy vegetarian quiche is a fancy addition to a luncheon.
Asparagus Omelets - This recipe
is a neat twist on traditional omelets.
Grilled Asparagus with Bacon
and Eggs - This vegetable dish is practically a full meal with
bacon, egg, and cheese.
Fresh Asparagus Quiche - This
cheese and egg dish is great with fresh spring asparagus. You
can also make this your next meatless meal for Lent!
Asparagus Pasta Recipes
The unique taste of asparagus
makes a perfect addition to pasta! Simply chop it up and cook
along with your favorite noodle or enjoy these asparagus pasta
recipes!
Pasta with Asparagus - A simple
way to add color and life to your pasta with asparagus and bacon.
Asparagus and Chicken Lasagna
- The different tastes of this lasagna will surprise and delight
company.
Tagliattelle with Shitake Mushrooms
and Asparagus - My mushroom essence, which you can prepare well
in advance, has such a rich taste that just a few spoonfuls make
a big impression upon four servings of pasta.
Ham and Asparagus Fettuccine
- Fresh, flavorful and read in under a half hour. A delicious
dinner any day.
Pasta with Sugar Snap Peas,
Asparagus and Parmesan - Crunchy snap peas and asparagus add
great texture to this bowtie pasta.
Celebrating Asparagus
Every spring, the town of Stockton
California celebrates asparagus with its very own Stockton Asparagus
Festival. This year's asparagus fest will take place April 24-26,
2009. There they have a deep fried asparagus eating competition
along with musical performances. For more information on the
festival, click here.
Sources:
WHFoods.org
Wikipedia.com |
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