For best results, start with a hot pan and only stir the asparagus a few times. Use spears that are no thicker than 1/2 inch (12 mm). Here are three ways to serve them.
1 pound organic asparagus, tough ends trimmed and cut into thin 2-inch (5 cm) lengths
1 Tbs. (15 ml) olive oil
1. Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat until smoking.
2. Add the asparagus, stirring a few times, until the asparagus is spotty brown, 3-4 minutes.
3. Follow one of the following dishes:
1 Tbs. (15 ml) soy sauce or dairy-free liquid aminos
1 Tbs. (15 ml) dry sherry
2 tsp. (10 g) each: organic brown sugar and grated ginger
1 tsp. (5 g) toasted sesame oil
4 ounces (115 g) shiitake mushrooms, steamed and sliced thin
2 organic scallions, green parts only, sliced thin
4. Combine water, soy sauce/liquid aminos, sherry, sugar, ginger,, and sesame oil in a bowl.
5. Add the mushrooms to the cooked asparagus, cook a few more minutes.
6. Add the sour sauce/liquid aminos and cook, stir once or twice, 1-2 minutes.
7. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with scallions greens, and serve.
Serves 4
1 pound organic asparagus, tough ends trimmed and cut into thin 2-inch (5 cm) lengths
1 Tbs. (15 ml) olive oil
1. Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat until smoking.
2. Add the asparagus, stirring a few times, until the asparagus is spotty brown, 3-4 minutes.
3. Follow one of the following dishes:
...shiitake mushrooms
2 Tbs. (30 ml) water1 Tbs. (15 ml) soy sauce or dairy-free liquid aminos
1 Tbs. (15 ml) dry sherry
2 tsp. (10 g) each: organic brown sugar and grated ginger
1 tsp. (5 g) toasted sesame oil
4 ounces (115 g) shiitake mushrooms, steamed and sliced thin
2 organic scallions, green parts only, sliced thin
4. Combine water, soy sauce/liquid aminos, sherry, sugar, ginger,, and sesame oil in a bowl.
5. Add the mushrooms to the cooked asparagus, cook a few more minutes.
6. Add the sour sauce/liquid aminos and cook, stir once or twice, 1-2 minutes.
7. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with scallions greens, and serve.
...red bell pepper
1 Tbs. (15 ml) each: water, organic orange juice, and rice vinegar
1 Tbs. (15 g) organic sugar
1 tsp. (5 ml) ketchup
1/2 tsp. (2,5 g) salt into the water
1 steamed organic red bell pepper cut into 2-inch (5 cm) long matchsticks
4. Whisk all together.
5. Add to the cooked asparagus, cook a few minutes.
6. Transfer to a serving platter.
...red onion
4 tsp. (20 ml) fish sauce
1 Tbs. (15 ml) organic lime juice
2 tsp. (10 g) minced lemon grass
dash of red pepper flakes
2 tsp. (10 g) organic brown sugar
1/2 organic red onion slices
fresh mint
4. Whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, lemon grass, and red pepper flakes into the water, along with the sugar to the cooked asparagus.
5. Cook a few minutes.
6. Transfer to a serving platter, with sliced onions and fresh mint.
Asparagus plant takes about two years to develop, but the plant will last for the next 20-30 years.
-modified The Complete American's Test Kitchen Show Cookbook
