Perfect Steamed Asparagus Recipe

Are you in need a simple side dish for dinner tonight? Look no further than this perfect steamed asparagus recipe. By gently steaming the asparagus you preserve the crispness and vibrant color which is complemented by a fresh burst of lemon and olive oil. Wellness coach and recipe developer Miriam Hahn brings us this recipe for perfect steamed asparagus and says, "You know asparagus is in season when you walk into the grocery store and the front tables are brimming with bunches of fresh asparagus."

Hahn also let us know the types of bunches she tends to lean towards when there are masses available at the store. "I like buying bunches with stalks on the thinner side because they are more delicate and I can't help buying a few bunches at a time when they are at their lowest price of the year," she says. Aside from its light, earthy taste, asparagus offers many health benefits and I find that it's a vegetable that most people like." While Hahn prefers to serve her asparagus cut up into bite-sized pieces, you can easily serve the full, long stalks if that's more up to your speed.

To make this recipe, we'll need of course some asparagus along with some fresh lemon. We're using fresh lemon here instead of bottled juice because the zest of the lemon is a key ingredient. Then you'll just need some basics from the pantry including olive oil, salt, and pepper. "My favorite salt to use for this recipe is Himalayan pink salt. It's rich in minerals and also adds great flavor," Hahn shares.

The first step is getting rid of those tough, woody stems on the end of each stalk. "I usually just line up my asparagus on a cutting board and trim off about 2 to 3-inches of the whitish, thick part of the stalk," Hahn explains. Then go ahead and cut the remaining stalks into 2 to 3-inch pieces.

In this recipe we're using a steamer basket that fits over a pot or pan. Begin by adding water to the bottom pot or pan. "Just add an inch or two of water making sure that your steamer basket, when inserted, will sit above the water line," Hahn explains.

Bring the water to a boil, then put the chopped asparagus into the steamer basket and set it into the pot. Cover with a lid and steam for 5 minutes keeping in mind if your asparagus is very thin, it might be done in less time. When it's done it should still be bright green with tender (but still crunchy) stalks.

Transfer the asparagus from the steaming basket to a large bowl. Grab the lemon and zest it right over the asparagus, then squeeze in the juice of half of it. Now add in the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss and the asparagus is ready to serve, and it makes for a great summery side dish or healthy cookout option.

If you have leftovers, you can keep them in the fridge for a few days and they will still be delicious. "When I have leftovers, I love to add them to a big green salad and because they have been marinating in the lemon dressing, they really make a statement in a salad," says Hahn.