Asparagus?

So I am getting brave and trying new vegetables that I would never touch such as cauliflower and parsnips so I thought why not asparagus?

Any best ways to cook it where it would be tasty for a new person?

Roll it in olive oil and grill.  Once cooked, sprinkle on pepper and parmasan cheese.  A squeeze of lemon is good too.

Snap off the woody bits of the stem - if you bend them, they should break naturally at the right place. Then just steam or boil them for a few minutes; not too long - there's nothing worse than overcooked asparagus! It should still have some bite to it. Then just smear some good butter (not margarine) on it and eat. The best way to eat asparagus!

Some people also like to dip the spears in soft boiled eggs, but I'm not an egg fan, so that doesn't work for me.

I also add it to pasta sometimes, along with some smoked salmon and a light creamy sauce. It's also nice in an omelette. Or cold in a salad.

But really the first way is my favourite - letting the flavour of the asparagus shine through on its own.

I find it best with just a little bit of garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice (after being steamed for just a few minutes).

I read this woman's blog all the time, here's her recipe for asparagus with roasted garlic (which I tried, seriously good)...

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/05/asparagus-with-roasted-garlic-sauce.html

I roast asparagus too!  Olive oil, sea salt and a bit of cracked pepper.

Roast it, definitely.  While I like it steamed as well, it is sooooo good roasted. And so easy!

It has been ordered and when you say roast you mean in the oven on a baking sheet I am assuming....

I would love to GRILL it on the grill but I need propane first!

I always roast mine with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. I use a baking dish, but you can use a baking sheet also.

Just for future reference, when a British person says to 'grill' something they mean to put it under the broiler. It's very confusing and I always got lots of laughs in the office when I asked about grilling at a picnic!

I like it like Chary does only instead of butter, I make a lemony mayonnaise to dip it in.

(We're off to the farmers' market now, might have to get some!)

Steaming or boiling it, just 'til al dente.  I posted a lovely risotto with asparagus & lemon recipe (Nigel Slater) on Jewlz's risotto thread.

And don't forget - asparagus is one of those foods that you get to enjoy twice! 

I saute mine in butter or olive oil.  I like mine a little crunchy so I don't cook them very long (also keeps the flavor)...but you can cook them longer (some people like them soggier).

Whatever you do, just don't buy asparagus in the can or jar!!  It's sooooo yucky and really taste like a totally different vegetable than fresh.  Granted, some people prefer the soggy, half-disintegrated, stringy yuckiness of asparagus from a can.

I grill them in the oven, but I probably do them longer than most.  I don't like soggy asparagus, but I dislike undercooked asparagus even more.  I like mine crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside.  I just add butter, salt and pepper, but my husband likes cream or cheese sauces on his.

I think people should warn you about the side effect.  It's harmless and doesn't last long, but it might put people off asparagus if they weren't prepared.

I grill them in the oven, but I probably do them longer than most.  I don't like soggy asparagus, but I dislike undercooked asparagus even more.  I like mine crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside.  I just add butter, salt and pepper, but my husband likes cream or cheese sauces on his.

I think people should warn you about the side effect.  It's harmless and doesn't last long, but it might put people off asparagus if they weren't prepared.

  lol LA - I had heard that and my mom did used to make this for everyone else I just never ate it! Thanks for the warning

I love Asparagus, I cut the ends off, give it a wash, put some Olive Oil on it, salt and pepper and pop it on the BBQ next to whatever I got on. It takes about 5/6 minutes, take it off the brill and it finishes cooking itself. Delish! Makes your wee smell but worth it!!

I did it!
YAY
I did like it more the tops then the stalks...
I grilled it with olive oil, S&P and touch of garlic powder

I also mixed cream cheese and a little butter melted in case I needed a dip - oh it was good!
Thanks for helping improve my tastebuds ;-)