Morning all

I had my first trip to a farm shop today and bought loads

I've never tried Asparagus before so got a bundle of that. No idea how to cook it or what to do with it though lol
Could anyone give me ideas on what you do with the stuff please?

Break off the woody part at the bottom. Throw into salted boiling water for 3-4 minutes, drain and toss in melted butter, salt and pepper and eat!
You could also cook as above, chop up, and stuff into some chicken breasts with some cheese and then wrap in bacon or parma ham and roast in the oven for 25 minutes.

Roast it in the oven with olive oil and rosemary.
Boil it in salted water and then serve it with butter.
Make soup out of it. I love asparagus soup.
It is lovely boiled and then served with hollandaise.

Very simply, my other half loves asparagus!

Trim the lighter-coloured ends, wash - simmer for 5 minutes. Put into ovenproof dish with olive oil and grated parmesan - grill for 2 minutes.

Tis fabulous =)

Thanks folks! I'll be trying it out later tonight.

Out of curiosity - what does it taste like?

Like asparagus! It is difficult to describe. One of those foods you can eat with your fingers.

You will need nose filters in the lavatory too as boy does asparagus make your urine stink!

It doesn't taste like any other vegetable. You'll either like it, or you won't. I love it.

Yep. Anyone who eats a lot of it knows to hold their breath when peeing the next day

it makes your wee smell funny as well!

edit - ooops, about 3 other people said so already...

I like to griddle it, with olive oil and lemon juice. I also like to eat it with beetroot, to add a bit of colour to my stinky wee.

Take hold of asparagus with both hands, bend it and where it snaps is the bit you need to throw away.
I like mine griddled until slightyl blackened, but it still has a crunch. Also great dipped into a runny egg.....

I like to griddle it in olive oil & balsamic. If you have the large variety then you can also roast it.

You can also steam asparagus (it tends to cook slightly more evenly than boiling it). Lovely served with melted butter or a light vinaigrette.

I'm wondering how a farm shop can be selling asparagus at this time of the year. The stuff on our allotment was in the spring for just a couple of weeks.
Alan

A farm in Peru perhaps?

No idea! But it was selling all sorts of fruit n veg.
Also their own meat produce also. Have to say I was really impressed
Everything was really really fresh too.

I like asparagus with a rich garlic butter over it (be warned this makes you generally stink for about 2 days )

Trim woody ends off aspargus, boil for 3 minutes in salted water, then drain, wrap in parma ham and fry briefly. Serve with hollandaise sauce. Yum.

Does anyone know why your pee smells after eating it? No other veg has this effect as far as I know?

Any experts out there

Asparagus contains a sulphurous compound called mercaptan (which is also found in rotten eggs, onions and garlic). When your digestive system breaks down mercaptan, by-products are released that cause the strange smell. The process is so quick that your urine can develop the distinctive smell within 15 to 30 minutes of eating asparagus. Not everyone suffers this effect; your genetic makeup may determine whether your urine has the odour -- or whether you can actually smell it. Only some people appear to have the gene for the enzyme that breaks down mercaptan into its more pungent parts.
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I didn't write it... but there's your answer.

i definatly have that gene

I don't like it, like bean sprouts it tastes like semen to me.

Woah. LOL

Lightly steamed asparagus wrapped in proscuitto and bunged in the oven just long enough to cook the ham is delish and goes very well with pasta mmm mmmmmmm.

Just wanted to say thanks for the tip, I don't visit this site that often, just timed your post right