20 Ways to Use Asparagus

Having graced tables for more than 2,000 years, this delicately flavored yet sturdily constructed vegetable is so versatile. Asparagus has always maintained its elegant profile whether blanched, boiled, steamed, microwaved, stir-fried, grilled, roasted or pureed. Reinhart’s Chef Paul puts fresh asparagus through its paces to bring you 20 ways to celebrate springtime’s finest greens.

1. Cream of asparagus soup
   Leave some bigger chunks of asparagus in the blend for this vibrantly colored offering; garnish with asparagus tips.
2. Asparagus bread pudding
   Go from sweet to savory with a pudding made of seasoned bread, custard and deeply roasted asparagus.
3. Roasted asparagus with smoked sea salt
   A no-wilt solution for asparagus with a deep smoky flavor…no smoker needed.
4. Garlic Parmesan asparagus
   Simple and incredibly flavorful, drizzle olive oil over garlic and asparagus and roast. At end, sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and allow to melt naturally.
5. Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus
   Wrap each asparagus stalk with prosciutto, candy-cane style, and roast, for a beyond satisfying texture and flavor.
6. Grilled cheese stuffed with Iberico ham and sautéed asparagus
   Not your mama’s grilled cheese, but in a league of its own with a winning mix of rich flavors and textures.
7. Lemon-pepper roasted asparagus
   Poach before roasting asparagus, and add a mix of butter, lemon juice, lemon zest and fresh black pepper.
8. Asparagus and sauteed red pepper with toasted pine nuts
   The earthy, toasty crunch of pine nuts pairs with fresh asparagus and sweetly sautéed red peppers for a naturally beautiful presentation.
9. Cheesy baked asparagus
   A unique spin on the ubiquitous cheesy casserole, featuring buttered bread crumbs, cheesy milky sauce and asparagus; baked until golden brown.
10. Bacon, gruyere and roasted garlic asparagus
    Unabashedly indulgent, with sweetly aromatic roasted garlic, smoothly melting gruyere cheese and crunchy asparagus.
11. Asparagus with hollandaise
    Stunningly simple, with incomparable flavor when done right; blend crab meat, egg yolks and clarified butter for a classic sauce.
12. Pan-seared asparagus topped with parsley breadcrumbs
    Go from sweet to savory with a pudding made of seasoned bread, custard and deeply roasted asparagus.
13. Balsamic roasted asparagus
    There may not be a better pairing than balsamic reduced to a sugary syrup and drizzled on top of roasted asparagus…a thick slice of bacon would put it over the top.
14. Asparagus over lentils and poached egg
    A low-carb, high-protein dish that makes a perfectly balanced lunch.
15. Roasted asparagus with endive and fried goat cheese
    Sweetly roasted asparagus and slightly bitter endive find their perfect match in deep-fried, creamy goat cheese.
16. Asparagus pesto
    Bid basil goodbye and sub in asparagus, with garlic, olive oil, pine nuts and lemon juice for a pesto that’s made for dipping or topping pasta.
17. Grilled asparagus over Romesco sauce
    Blend roasted tomatoes, onions, garlic, roasted red peppers and bread in food processor for the classic sauce; place grilled asparagus spears on top.
18. Chicken saltimbocca over oven-roasted asparagus
    A unique spin on the ubiquitous cheesy casserole, featuring buttered bread crumbs, cheesy milky sauce and asparagus; baked until golden brown.
19. Asparagus topped with fried horseradish
    Grate fresh horseradish into strands to deep fry and add a zesty flavor and crunch to lightly steamed asparagus.
20. Asparagus frittata
    Breakfast in a pan, made with eggs, cream, charred tomatoes and fresh, sliced asparagus, and baked to puffy perfection.