Asparagus (卢笋)tops my list of premium vegetables. There are two common varieties that I can find in the local market, all imported, from Thailand and Australia respectively. If I were given a choice, I prefer the ones from Australia for its better taste. However, its price can stretch my weekly budget. Hence, I would normally buy them only when they are in season when prices can drop by half. Otherwise, I will opt for the more economical Thai asparagus.
Asparagus is best consumed immediately after purchase. But, there are some suggested tips to maintain its freshness for longer storage from this link.
I introduced asparagus to my son before he turned one and it remains as one of his favourite vegetables ever since. He enjoys eating asparagus even though I just blanched or steamed them.
There are many ways to cook asparagus. For examples: stir-frying, grilling, roasting, steaming etc. Which one is your prefer method? On days when I am in a rush, I like to stir-fry as I can easily combine asparagus with some other ingredients to come up with a one-dish meal just like the recipe I am featuring in this post.
The seasonings used in this recipe are very simple and easily available. They also work well for other Chinese stir-fry dishes too. I always refer to this combination as my basic seasoning in most of my Chinese cooking. So far, it has never disappointed me as all my stir-fried dishes have turned out to be very delicious. For a start, if you are new in Chinese cooking, these seasonings are very useful. Do give it a try!
Fun facts about asparagus:
- Asparagus is sometimes referred to as the “food of kings,” and the “aristocrat” of vegetables. (Too good to be true! I am sure my “Emperor” will like this fact.)
- Cultivation of asparagus began over 2,000 years ago.
- King Louis XIV of France loved Asparagus so much he had special greenhouses built, so he could enjoy the vegetable year-round.
- Asparagus is a nutrient-dense food which in high in folic acid. It is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, and thiamin.
- Asparagus has no fat, contains no cholesterol and is low in sodium.
- The larger the diameter, the better the quality!
- Edible asparagus comes in three colors – green, purple and white. Green asparagus is the most common variety.
- White asparagus, which is very popular in France, is rarely available in supermarkets. It is grown in the dark so they can’t produce chlorophyll, which gives asparagus its green color.
Other reading references:
– Asparagus facts
– Australian Asparagus Council
– Asparagus – The Food of KingsUpdated on 26 Sept 2009
Below is a wonderful fact contributed by Criz Lai of Criz Bon Appetite:
“Asparagus contain glutathione, which is considered one of the body’s most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants. In some proven cases, blended boiled asparagus has been used in the Asparagus Diet Therapy for cancer treatment and it had shown positive results.”
>>> Click on page 2 below for Asparagus and chicken stir-fry recipe………………….
If you like this article, please share:
Asparagus is always my fav veg. I like stir-fry them. And from time to time, I like to just put one small cube of butter in the skillet and grill them. 🙂
Lee Mei (MCH): I shall try your grilling method next time. Tks for sharing. 😉
One of the comfort food from mummy! This will always reminds me how nice to have a mummy around to cook for me. 🙂
Homeladychef: Yeah, totally agree with you. All the dishes are comfort food as long as they are cooked by my mummy. LOL! 😛
Yes, LK! Me, too. I love, love, love asparagus. On their own or in dishes. I am always surprised at how many people don’t like it and think it’s bitter. In the summer time, I like to put a little olive oil and balsamic over some stalks, and then throw them on the grill. Delicious.
Amy: Er…it’s weird. I have never tasted any bitter asparagus before. I luv the way you cook them! Simply delicious! Tks for sharing! 😉
I heard it’s good for cancer patient.
BTW, this dish looks really colourful. 🙂
NKOTB: Oh really? That’s a new knowledge to me. Tks for sharing. 😉
This is definitely a healthy dish. I used to cook with mushroom but will try to cook this.
Thank you for sharing.
Anncoo: Asparagus goes well with all the vegetables. Hope you will like this version. 😉
Although I eat asparagus very seldom coz’ it’s not really easy to find it but I really like it.
Good to know the fun fact of asparagus 🙂
Selba: They are also not easily available in Malaysia too especially those imported from Australia. 😉
Wow! Nice bunch of fresh & green asparagus! I love the taste of asparagus too especially stir fry with mix vegetables and meat. Nice combination!
Alice: Tks!! They are from Thailand. It will look even more attractive for Australian asparagus. 😉
I just bought some asparagus. I can try out this recipe. 🙂
Little Inbox: Happy trying! 😉
Never seen the small bite size asparagus…indeed a creative idea.
CK Lam: Tks!! These small bite size asparagus are ideal for kids. 😉
Yum, I love this stir-fry too. It’s very yum in omelet too!
Ching: Tks!! Will try your suggestion. Tks for sharing! 😉
I can find big fat ones here (did you say the larger the diameter, the better?) ;p
Tigerfish: Oh really? where? expensive? 😉
Yummy, yummy!!!! I am hungry…..
Craft Passion: Dun worry. Take a seat and I will serve you first. ;P
Hi LK — Lovely photo and delicious recipe 🙂 i come to yr blog to get inspired….
Christine: Hi fren, tks for your wonderful compliments and kind sharing on those great photography tips! 😉
E, agree! asparagus works beautiful with our chinese cooking! Your photography is gorgeous!
Gattina: Tks for your compliments!! I still need to learn more from you. Your shots are really stunning!! 😉
I love stir-fried asparagus too!! healthy and taste good…huh? I preferred the green one not white asparagus!! said the white one didn’t expose to sunlight ..
My Asian Kitchen: Definitely healthy and tasty too! The best thing is that stir-fry method is also easy for me! Never try the white one before. Hope I will have a chance to try out all the varieties. 😉
Wow… a simple recipe to feed just any ages. Cool recipe LK.
I also want to share with your readers the wonderful facts about asparagus. They contain glutathione, which is considered one of the body’s most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants. In some proven cases, blended boiled asparagus has been used in the Asparagus Diet Therapy for cancer treatment and it had shown positive results.
So everybody should listen to Mummy’s advice to eat the vegetables on the plate. 😛
Criz Lai: You are so kind and generous in contributing creative ideas and useful info to my blog. I will incorporate yours in my post. Tks a lot! 😉
BEAUTIFUL! I love how you did this dish … the colours, the presentation, oh, it’s mouthwatering. Best of all, nutritious too! 🙂
The Little Teochew: Tks!! It is also yummy too! 😉
Beautiful colors and nice varied textures in this stir fry! Looks delicious.
Lisa: Tks!! Do give it a try! 😉
Oh this looks delicious!
Simply Life: Tks for dropping by and your kind comment. 😉
wow what a great site, love it, have a great day
Rebecca
Rebeccsubbiah: Tks!! Do drop by more often. 😉
Asparagus is so good! And I love your stir-fry. It looks delicious 🙂
Karine: And nutritious too! Hope you will like it 😉
So colourful! Must be very yummy too! 😀
Dora: Yes, definitely. 😉
I love asparagus! I’ve never stir fried them.. I usually just steam them cause I’m quite lazy.. I shall try this soon! thanks for sharing =)
Tracie Moo: I am lazy too. This is why I added in chicken and capsicum to make it a complete meal for my lunch. Happy trying! 😉
Love asparagus but I’m lazy to “shave” the woody parts so seldom cook it. Your version looks absoultely delish! I like the close ups shots =)
Noobcook: Tks!! Use a peeler to do the job. It saves you a lot of time. 😉
Love asparagus as well!
Bryan V. : Do give it a try and hope you will like it! 😉
What can I say? asparagus amazes me… I love it so much though don’t really eat them often, hard to find those big, crunchy ones nearby my area… but i am going to make chicken and asparagus soon… 🙂
Myf: Australian asparagus is in season now. Maybe you can check it out at Cold Storage or Jaya Jusco.