Roasted, Broiled, or Grilled Asparagus

Asparagus becomes wonderfully caramelized and flavorful when cooked at high heat. This recipe provides instructions for roasting, broiling, or grilling asparagus, allowing you to choose the method that suits your preference and available equipment. Once cooked, there are various classic ways to serve and enhance the flavor of simply cooked asparagus.

MAKES: 4 servings

TIME: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and peeled
• 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or melted butter (if grilling)
• Salt
• Lemon wedges for serving

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F or preheat a charcoal or gas grill or broiler to medium-high heat. If roasting or broiling, place the asparagus in a shallow roasting pan. Drizzle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil or dot with butter. Sprinkle with salt. If grilling, brush the asparagus with oil or melted butter and sprinkle with salt.
2. Place the asparagus in the oven, broiler, or on the grill. If grilling, you can skewer thin asparagus in little bunches to make turning easier and prevent them from falling through the grates. Cook the asparagus, turning them once or twice, until the thick part of the stalks can be pierced with a knife. This will take about 10 to 15 minutes in the oven or on the grill and a shorter time of 5 to 10 minutes under the broiler.
3. Remove the cooked asparagus from the oven, grill, or broiler. Serve the asparagus hot or warm, accompanied by lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

CLASSIC WAYS TO SERVE SIMPLY COOKED ASPARAGUS: 

After cooking the asparagus using the techniques described above, here are ten classic ways to serve and enhance its flavor:

• Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil or melted butter. You can also use flavored oils or compound butters.
• Squeeze lemon or lime juice over the asparagus or drizzle with vinegar.
• Dress with any vinaigrette of your choice.
• Serve with a dollop of mayonnaise or Hollandaise sauce.
• Top with minced or finely crumbled hard-boiled eggs.
• Garnish with sautéed mushrooms.
• Sprinkle with minced hard-boiled eggs, toasted bread crumbs, or minced roasted red peppers.
• Add fresh herbs like tarragon and chervil, or try reheating the asparagus in butter or oil with a touch of curry powder.
• Wrap cooked, room-temperature, or cold asparagus spears in thinly sliced prosciutto or other good ham.
• Top with shaved Parmesan cheese and bake as a gratin if desired.

Choose your preferred serving method or experiment with different combinations to enjoy the delicious and versatile flavors of asparagus. Enjoy the delightful flavors of roasted, broiled, or grilled asparagus with these simple cooking methods. Whether you prefer the caramelized sweetness of roasted asparagus, the charred smokiness of grilled spears, or the quick browning under the broiler, you can savor this versatile vegetable in various ways. Enhance the flavors further by choosing from the ten classic serving suggestions provided, such as drizzling with olive oil, adding a squeeze of lemon, or garnishing with herbs and cheeses. Get creative and explore the endless possibilities to make your asparagus dishes truly exceptional.