This is the period for asparagus! They are everywhere – in supermarkets, in the street markets, and there are even entire festivals devoted to them!
Here below is just a simple way to prepare them as a side dish. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
one pound fresh asparagus
teaspoon sugar
ice water
3 tablespoons butter
salt
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
METHOD
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add sugar to water. While waiting for water to boil, clean the asparagus and eliminate the tough and hard part of the stem by bending the stem until it breaks off.
2. Cook the asparagus in boiling sugar-water for about five minutes. The sugar in the water will help the asparagus retain a bright green color.
3. Remove asparagus from boiling water and place in ice water for about five minutes. This process will help further brighten the green color.
4. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and cook for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
5. Remove to serving dish and top with parmesan cheese.
Italy Translated 
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Thanks!
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YUM! so simple and so good! Asparagus is my favorite!
hee, hee, hee…I know…SOOOO Yummmy! Did you see that flyer for the festival? ha, ha, ha…here there is a festival for EVERTHING!
Great tip about the sugar water, I’d never heard that before! I’ve been having such an asparagus craving lately, but weirdly here they aren’t quite in season yet … Or maybe I’ll suddenly find them overflowing from the supermarket this evening? (I hope so!!)
Hi Sophie! Yes! I learned that from a Chef in Austin, Texas (many moons ago)….and now I cannot remember his name or the restaurant! GRRRRR….Anyway…it really works and makes this dish so much more appealing…the color is very nice! Hope you find some at the market….they are all over the place here…and on sale too! whoohoo!
Sugar water!! Great tip! It doesn’t make the asparagus taste of sugar though? Asparagus is something I have only learned to appreciate as an adult… love it simply prepared on a griddle… I will definitely use sugar water next time! (Asparagus Festival?!? Now that sounds like a lovely afternoon!!)
Hi Kris! No….no sweet taste at all from the sugar…only pretty green veggies! And, well….in Italy, they find ANY reason for a festival! Especially if food or wine are involved. 🙂
Buonissimi preparati cosi! I am having asparagus all the time now…I have never tried them prepared like this. Great tip grazie 1000!
Yes…..we learned this from a Texan Chef…whose name totally escapes me! I have to get with my sis to try to find his name…he had some nice cookbooks too…mainly for grilling…..we like to grill in Texas! 🙂
Love asparagus…I just bought my first for this year. Thanks for the recipe, easy and simple is my motto:)