Best Easy Peasy Chilled Asparagus Recipes

CHILLED MARINATED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, oil, lemon juice and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Refrigerate until cool. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse in cold water., Place asparagus in a large resealable plastic bag; add marinade. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight, turning occasionally. Drain and discard marinade. Place asparagus on a serving plate; sprinkle with pecans.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• I like asparagus al dente, slightly crunchy. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add salt until it tastes like mild seawater. How will you know? Take a little water with a spoon and taste it, then add the sugar.
• Prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl, large enough to hold the asparagus, with cold water. Add some ice cubes. Plunge the asparagus into the ice bath before cooking. This will help to bring any limp stalks back to life. Remove from the ice bath, plunge them into the boiling water and allow them to cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water, transferring them immediately to the same ice bath. Allow them to sit in the ice bath for a few minutes, swirling them gently in the water to assure they are all cooling quickly in the cold water.
• The most important step for this dish? Drying the stalks once they are removed from the ice bath. Taking care that no water gets into the final salad is the best way to assure that the maximum flavor will be enjoyed! Transfer the asparagus to a large plate or platter lined with a kitchen towel and refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey and mustard. Stir to blend. Whisk in the olive oil in an even, steady stream. When all of the oil has been integrated, taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• When ready to serve, remove the kitchen towel from the asparagus and simply toss the asparagus in the dressing to coat them completely. Arrange the stalks on plates and serve.

COLD ASPARAGUS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Blanch the asparagus and drain it on paper towels.
• Arrange the spears in a shallow serving dish and sprinkle with the minced shallot.
• Place the garlic and salt in a small bowl, and mash them together with the back of a spoon until the mixture forms a paste.
• Stir in the mustard and lemon juice.
• Whisk in the oil, vinegar, and pepper.
• Spoon this dressing over the asparagus.
• Garnish the asparagus with alternating bands of chopped egg white, parsley, and egg yolk.
• Chill thoroughly before serving.

CHINESE CHILLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cut the asparagus into slices diagonally.
• Place in a saucepan and pour the boiling water over the asparagus.
• Return to a boil and cook for two minutes.
• Drain and cool under running cold water.
• Mix together the remaining ingredients and pour over the asparagus.
• Chill for 1/2 hour before serving.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SESAME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in a large skillet of boiling, salted water until just crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
• Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well.
• Pat dry with paper towels.
• Arrange on a platter.
• Mix sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• (Asparagus and sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.) To serve, spoon dressing over asparagus, sprinkle with toasted sesame seed and serve.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SESAME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in large skillet of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water and drain well. Pat dry with paper towels. Arrange on platter. Mix sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce and sugar in small bowl. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Asparagus and dressing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.) Spoon dressing over asparagus. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMONY GARLIC DRESSING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together first five ingredients until smooth.
• Cover and chill until serving time.
• Boil asparagus for 5 minutes (until crisp-tender).
• Drain (I've served this dish hot by tossing the asparagus in the pan with the dressing and heating for 1-2 minutes at this point).
• Rinse with cold water and drain again.
• Cover and chill until serving time.
• To serve, gently toss asparagus spears with dressing.
• Sprinkle lightly with poppy seeds, if desired.