20 best Asparagus recipes
Still widely regarded as among the best in the world, British-grown asparagus has a delicate sweetness that inspires devotion when its shoots appear from late April through to June. Make the most of the brief and blissful season – drizzle with hollandaise, griddle for salads and pasta dishes, or serve steamed and butter-drenched with a sprinkle of sea salt.
1
Asparagus and hollandaise sauce
When asparagus is this fresh it's delicious just cooked lightly and served with a luscious hollandaise made with the rich yolks from our Longstock Gold free-range eggs.
2
ASPARAGUS, SWISS CHARD, PEA AND TALEGGIO TART
The sweetness of asparagus is showcased by the bitterness of the chard and the saltiness of the cheese in this simple-to-make tart
2
Asparagus, Swiss chard, pea and taleggio tart
The sweetness of asparagus is showcased by the bitterness of the chard and the saltiness of the cheese in this simple-to-make tart.
3
Sichuan-style asparagus with peanuts
Toasted peppercorns bring heat to the simple sauce for stir-fried stems. We love this dish as a side served with grilled salmon or steak.
4
Spring ribollita
Try something different with your prized stems: a take on a Tuscan veggie stew with asparagus, peas, cannellini beans and fragrant basil served with torn ciabatta
4
Spring ribollita
Try something different with your prized stems: a take on a Tuscan veggie stew with asparagus, peas, cannellini beans and fragrant basil served with torn ciabatta.
5
Grilled asparagus, pecans and blue cheese dressing
Salty sweet pecans, griddled asparagus and little gem lettuces with a dressing of buttermilk, soured cream, Worcestershire sauce and chives. What’s not to love?
6
GREEN BAKED EGGS WITH NEW SEASON ASPARAGUS
Cumin seeds and chilli bring pops of heat while crumbled feta offers creamy saltiness in this unusual dish
6
Green baked eggs with new season asparagus
Cumin seeds and chilli bring pops of heat while crumbled feta offers creamy saltiness in this unusual dish.
7
Griddled steak and vegetables with miso
Green veg and grilled steak get an umami lift from a miso dressing with soy and honey. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts for a final flourish.
8
SHAVED ASPARAGUS, RICOTTA AND PINE NUTS
Finely slice your asparagus and serve as a salad with ricotta and pine nuts. The crimson variety works well here if you can find it
8
Shaved asparagus, ricotta and pine nuts
Finely slice your asparagus and serve as a salad with ricotta and pine nuts. The crimson variety works well here if you can find it.
9
Bucatini with asparagus, anchovies and capers
Asparagus elevates everyday pasta in this very simple dish. Vegetarians can substitute the anchovies for grated cheese.
10
PLAICE, ASPARAGUS AND POTTED SHRIMPS
A deliciously fishy supper of plaice and asparagus drenched in buttery herby shrimps. Here comes the summer
10
Plaice, asparagus and potted shrimps
A deliciously fishy supper of plaice and asparagus drenched in buttery herby shrimps. Here comes the summer.
11
Raw asparagus, pea shoot and pecorino salad
Use a vegetable peeler to shave the asparagus in salads. Here it’s served simply with mint leaves and salty pecorino.
11
Raw asparagus, pea shoot and pecorino salad
Use a vegetable peeler to shave the asparagus in salads. Here it’s served simply with mint leaves and salty pecorino
11
Raw asparagus, pea shoot and pecorino salad
Use a vegetable peeler to shave the asparagus in salads. Here it’s served simply with mint leaves and salty pecorino
12
Roast asparagus pasta with black garlic
Fresh flavours of the season combined with the smoky sweetness of black garlic, butter and fried breadcrumbs.
13
Crab and asparagus
salad
The classic combination of asparagus and white crab meat is given a twist here with salad onions, red chilli and coriander.
13
CRAB AND
ASPARAGUS
SALAD
The classic combination of asparagus and white crab meat is given a twist here with salad onions, red chilli and coriander
14
Asparagus, rocket & new potato tart
Celebrate the best of spring with tender asparagus, creamy new potatoes and peppery rocket. This recipe uses ready-made pastry for speed.
15
Shaved asparagus and pesto salad
Dressing shaved stems in a loose pesto lets their delicate flavour really shine. This dish serves as a starter or side.
15
SHAVED ASPARAGUS AND PESTO SALAD
Dressing shaved stems in a loose pesto lets their delicate flavour really shine. This dish serves as a starter or side
16
Griddled asparagus with ranch-style dip
The smoky flavour from the intense heat of the grill sings with the mayo and buttermilk dip.
17
Asparagus, lemon and pecorino pasta
Make asparagus sing with lemon, garlic and linguine in backing vocals. It’s ready in 20 minutes.
17
ASPARAGUS, LEMON AND PECORINO PASTA
Make asparagus sing with lemon, garlic and linguine in backing vocals. It’s ready in 20 minutes
18
Chargrilled vegetable asparagus salad
Using prepared grilled veg and grains means this dish is on the table in 15 minutes.
19
Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus with chive vinaigrette
Serve as a starter or on the patio with a glass of chilled white wine. It’s on the table in 30 minutes.
19
Asparagus and
artichoke
risotto
Serve as a starter or on the patio with a glass of chilled white wine. It’s on the table in 30 minutes
20
Asparagus and
artichoke
risotto
Half the asparagus is puréed and stirred through for dreamy texture and creamy flavour.
How to store and prepare asparagus
Like any other cut stem, asparagus is best stored upright in a glass with a little water – and eaten as soon as possible after buying. Preparation is simple: just wash the spears in cold water and snap off the woody ends.
How to cook asparagus
Boiling takes around 3 minutes, depending on the size of your spears, or you can steam them gently until tender but still firm. To griddle, place your pan over a high heat and add your spears, drizzle with a little olive oil, and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, turning occasionally until tender. It’s ready when the spear bends slightly when lifted with a pair of tongs.
What makes British asparagus so special?
Reaching skywards in late spring and early summer, asparagus is the physical embodiment of the green shoots of spring. The climate of southern and central England – where most British asparagus is grown – is particularly suited to cultivating the slender shoots, along with the flat land and light soil. In extremely hot weather, the spears can grow 18-20cm a day, although in cold conditions it can take up to a week to grow the same amount.
At the end of June, plants are left to sprout into a froth of feathery green ferns, laying down energy reserves in their crowns for the following year. By late summer, the asparagus beds are a bristling miniature forest.
HOW TO STORE AND PREPARE ASPARAGUS
Like any other cut stem, asparagus is best stored upright in a glass with a little water – and eaten as soon as possible after buying. Preparation is simple: just wash the spears in cold water and snap off the woody ends.
How to cook asparagus
Boiling takes around 3 minutes, depending on the size of your spears, or you can steam them gently until tender but still firm. To griddle, place your pan over a high heat and add your spears, drizzle with a little olive oil, and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, turning occasionally until tender. It’s ready when the spear bends slightly when lifted with a pair of tongs.
What makes British asparagus so special?
Reaching skywards in late spring and early summer, asparagus is the physical embodiment of the green shoots of spring. The climate of southern and central England – where most British asparagus is grown – is particularly suited to cultivating the slender shoots, along with the flat land and light soil. In extremely hot weather, the spears can grow 18-20cm a day, although in cold conditions it can take up to a week to grow the same amount.
At the end of June, plants are left to sprout into a froth of feathery green ferns, laying down energy reserves in their crowns for the following year. By late summer, the asparagus beds are a bristling miniature forest.