The butter must be softened. Place asparagus in a microwave-safe dish. 2. cut spears in half and place in a microwave safe large bowl or container. You can cook asparagus in a number of ways, the key though is timing, and knowing how long it takes so you don't overdo them. By using our site, you agree to our. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.Microwave on high for 3 minutes, then let sit, still covered, to continue … Use a microwave safe dish large enough to lay all of the asparagus flat so the stalks cook … To cook asparagus in the microwave, start by rinsing them in cold water and snapping off 1 inch from the bottom of each spear. This process essentially microwave-steams the asparagus. Ideally, if your paper towels came from a single roll, they will still be connected to one another. Cook another 2 to 3 minutes until asparagus is tender. As such, a thorough rinsing is important. Place the asparagus in the dish (cutting in half if needed) and add 2 or 3 tablespoons of water. When you try cooking asparagus in the micro… This secures the seam in place, thereby preventing the paper towels from unraveling as the asparagus cooks. There are a few different methods available, but how you time the cooking is the most important factor. This spring vegetable should be a part of any healthy diet. Feb 23, 2020 - Learn how to cook asparagus in the microwave quickly and easily! You only need to peel the lower 2 inches (5 cm) or so of the spear. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The rest of the butter can be stored and refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 days. Or, you can just cover the dish with plastic wrap and not add any water (I prefer this method). Place the bundle in your microwave with the open seam-side facing down. The cluster of spears should lie parallel to the short end of the paper towel sheet. They should still cook without any problems. Since the center of the microwave receives less heat than the outside, placing the tips toward the center will help prevent them from cooking too fast. As a result, these tips are also more likely to become mushy if overcooked. No. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. It can also be especially good if you are using thick asparagus. 3. Stir the water and Check temp of water and Asparagus. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends. Sprinkle asparagus with kosher salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Remove the asparagus with tongs or a slotted spoon and place directly in the bowl of ice water. Stir once more before serving. Any longer than that and it will start to burn and dry out. If you are short on time, microwave the butter, in its paper wrapping, for about 10 seconds. Stir to distribute seasonings. This will help you cook the asparagus more evenly in the microwave. Simply lay trimmed asparagus in a microwave-safe dish with a tablespoon or two of lightly salted water or broth, and cover. If you do not have fresh garlic or do not want pieces of minced garlic mixed into your asparagus dish, you could use 1/8 tsp (0.625 ml) of garlic powder, instead. Clean up is a breeze when all you need is a microwave. The point at which the stalk turns tender will usually be the easiest, most natural breaking point, and you can usually break the bottoms off at this point with your hands. Thicker spears takes a little longer to cook, but both are equally flavorful and nutritious. How to microwave asparagus Cut the asparagus in pieces that will fit in a microwave-safe bowl. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. I’m cooking 50 or more spears of asparagus in a baking dish. Try 4 or 5 minutes. Try to keep the asparagus spears in the center of the sheet width-wise, and do not let the tops or bottoms of the spears peek out or extend over the edge of the towels. You can keep the cooked asparagus warm in a oven on a low heat or food warmer. Using tongs can protect your hands, but you should also keep your face back to avoid burning your face, as well. If the dish has a microwave-safe lid, use the lid, but open any built-in vents before putting it on or put the lid on slightly askew to prevent too much steam and pressure from building up inside. It needs to cook long enough to soak the water into it, though, and if the microwave is set on high, then that should be long enough. There are a couple of ways you can cook asparagus in the microwave. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. If you do not have extra room, however, you do not need to worry about this. They were limp. It’s easy: all you need is a dish that is microwave safe. Cooking asparagus in the microwave takes only 3 minutes and results in a very delicious steamed asparagus - without the mess of hot steam and boiling water! A pound of asparagus cooks to crisp-tender in … Otherwise, you will not be able to roll them up smoothly later. Heat on high for 4 minutes. Cook for 1-2 mins or until tender. A bit of onion, garlic, lemon juice, and butter enhance the natural flavor of asparagus. 4. cover lightly and cook for two minutes. If you are microwaving cuts and tips instead of whole spears, only cook the asparagus for 3 to 5 minutes at full power. Place the asparagus in the bowl and add half an inch of water. To cook asparagus in the microwave, start by rinsing them in cold water and snapping off 1 inch from the bottom of each spear. You cannot substitute a microwaveable plastic bag with a regular plastic bag. Asparagus is grown in sandy soil and usually has some debris in the tips. A microwave yields steamed asparagus in mere minutes, which is especially helpful on busy evenings. Add a dollop of butter or garlic butter to the asparagus before serving, if desired. Preparation: 1. Use your hands to toss and turn the … ), Pan-Roasted Asparagus With Lemon and Garlic, 19 Fresh Asparagus Dishes to Make This Spring. If the asparagus still seems raw after you microwaved it, don't be tempted to microwave it … I'd cook the asparagus in batches of 10 - 12 spears rather than trying to do all 50 at once. If you are using paper napkins or paper towels that have already been separated, though, they need to overlap by 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so. You should be able to roughly estimate where the right breaking point is by gently bending the spear a few times near the bottom. I have to cook 72 stalks of asparagus. If the butter is still chilled, it will be impossible to mix the garlic in evenly. Next, soak 4 paper towels in water and lay them out in 1 … The inch-long leftovers can b… … Be careful as you unroll the paper towels. Microwave on HIGH (regular power) for 3 to 4 minutes. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Store in the fridge until needed, then simply drain and reheat in a pan with a little butter when you want to serve. How should I arrange the stalks and alter the time so they cook evenly? 3. This recipe will give you a quick healthy side dish that's super easy to make. Use oven mitts to remove the bowl from the microwave, and be careful when removing the lid – hot … It’s quick, you don’t need a lot of equipment, and you don’t need to fuss with heating up ovens/grills/etc. It is quite healthy too. If you need a quick, healthy way to cook asparagus, look no further than your microwave. Usually, this will be about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm). Add a dollop of butter or garlic butter to the asparagus before serving, if desired. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The tips are a more tender part of the asparagus spear, so they tend to cook faster than the woody stalk. Cover with lid and microwave on high power for 2 to 3 minutes. 2. https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-steam-asparagus-in-the-microwave-243306 Do not microwave foil wrapping. If you cut the ends off with a knife, it’s impossible to tell where the fibrous part ends and the tender part begins. Try at 2 1/2 minutes first, then check, re-cover and put back in if it’s not done yet. Plunge your asparagus spears into a pan of boiling water. Pour in wine, and dot with pieces of butter. You are minutes away from perfect steamed asparagus! Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 389,233 times. Asparagus makes a flavorful accompaniment to salads, meat dishes, casseroles, and soups. Ingredients: 1 Asparagus bundle 3 Tbsp olive oil salt freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil. This article has been viewed 389,233 times. Place pieces in a microwave-safe bowl, and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl, 2 to 3 tablespoons. The asparagus will cook a bit longer in the pan as I set the table and by the time we are ready to eat, they are perfectly done. 7 minutes was too long in a steamer in the microwave. After rinsing your asparagus stalks, do not dry them off, leave them slightly wet. Arrange asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet, all parallel. To soften butter, leave it out on the kitchen counter for about 30 minutes. How to microwave asparagus. Toss the asparagus spears gently to coat them. Season as desired with salt and pepper or other seasonings (garlic salt is good), butter or sauce. Put asparagus in a microwave steamer bowl (like this one). Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt, pepper and garlic power; stir until evenly coated. Finally, microwave the bundle for 3 to 4 minutes until the spears are slightly tender, but still crisp. Snap off the woody end with a firm grip in both hand, and the tender part will break away. Then, lay the asparagus on top of the paper towels, and wrap the towels around them to make a tightly packed bundle. An automatic cook sensor microwave makes things really easy. (Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. Place in a microwave-safe bowl with a lid. Microwave zucchini is a quick and easy side dish or the starting point for a delicious and nutritious meal. Arrange the spears in a microwave-safe dish, two or three spears deep is fine. A great deal of steam can build up during the cooking process, and you can burn your hands or face if you get your skin too close. When you try cooking asparagus in the micro… Wonder how to cook asparagus in the microwave? Note, however, that if you are using a rectangular dish can cannot arrange the asparagus spears in this manner; you can just line the spears up evenly. Steaming zucchini in the microwave takes no more than five minutes. Since steam was created, you can expect a large amount of steam to come off the spears as you unveil them. If you want the flavor of the asparagus to shine on its own, or if you plan to season the asparagus or toss it in a dressing after you cook it, use water. Asparagus in the microwave. You are minutes away from perfect steamed asparagus! Step 2 Cover loosely, and cook in the microwave on High for 3 minutes, or until bright … Jun 2, 2015 - Learn how to cook asparagus in the microwave quickly and easily! This will help create steam and cook them faster in the microwave. 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