How to Steam Asparagus

Steamed asparagus can be served whole, or it can be cut up and added to salads, pasta or vegetable dishes.

Things You'll Need

• Double boilers or saucepan
• Strong string
• Small, sharp scissors
• Garlic
• Wedges of lemons
• Distilled water
• Timers
• 2 or 3 onions

Instructions

1. Wash all spears in cool water, making sure to clean soil and sand from tips.

2. Cut about an inch off bottom of each spear.

3. Use kitchen string to tie asparagus spears into bundles of about 10. This makes it easier to work with all of the spears and does not allow them to fall from their upright position during cooking.

4. Arrange asparagus bundles upright in either a double boiler, asparagus cooker, or tall, lidded pot. Arranging them this way allows the tougher area at the bottom of the stalks to get more thorough cooking than the tender asparagus tips.

5. Pour in 2 inches water.

6. Add garlic clove, onion slice or piece of lemon if desired.

7. Bring to boil and then cover.

8. Cook 2 to 8 minutes, or until the spears have turned bright green.

Tips & Warnings

• Cooking time varies in relation to thickness and age of asparagus. Freshly picked asparagus requires no more than 2 minutes to steam.

• Depending on how woody the stalks are, you may have to trim more than an inch off. You can try just breaking off the ends; they will usually break where the tender part of the stalk begins.