How do I cook asparagus in the oven?

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat the spears, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness.

How do you know when asparagus is done roasting?

These are the telltale signs that roasted asparagus is done:

1. bright green coloring.
2. light browning or char on the tips.
3. stalks are crisp-tender.

How do you not overcook asparagus?

Another way to prevent overcooking is to shock the asparagus in an ice bath. Once you remove asparagus from the heat, pour the veggies in a bowl of ice-cold water. The cold water will stop the cooking process as well as bring out the vegetable’s naturally bright color and maintain its crisp texture.

What happens if you bake asparagus too long?

Whatever method is used, it is important to not overcook the asparagus. Overcooking will deplete the flavor and the texture of the asparagus will become mushy. Cook it only to a crisp-tender.

Does asparagus get softer the longer you cook it?

Undercooked asparagus, crunchy and forbidding, can taste like a punishment. But if you simmer asparagus long enough to cook it through, its texture becomes soft and almost creamy, and its lovely flavor comes into full bloom. It’s worth taking the time to peel it first.

Why you shouldn’t Cut the ends off asparagus?

THE BOTTOM LINE: You’ll throw away more asparagus if you snap off the ends, and the spears won’t look as long and elegant. For many reasons, we think trimming and peeling is worth the effort. SNAPPED: Snapping the natural breaking point means losing half the weight of almost every spear.

Is baked asparagus healthy?

Cooked asparagus may boast more antioxidants Research suggests that a diet rich in polyphenols may help reduce stress, inflammation, and the risk of several diseases, including heart disease and diabetes ( 2 , 3 ). beta carotene and quercetin — two powerful antioxidants — by 24% and 98%, respectively (4).

Why is my roasted asparagus stringy?

The more difficult problem is when it gets stringy throughout the entire spear. This happens because the spears continuously convert their sugars into a substance (call lignin) that causes woodiness. The longer asparagus is stored, the more sugars they convert. Cooking doesn’t make them less stringy.

How do you cut asparagus for roasting?

Asparagus: To trim the tough, fibrous portion of each spear, you can cut it with a knife or bend it until it snaps. The asparagus will break precisely where the tender part ends and the tough part begins. Roast the stems whole or cut into bite-sized pieces before roasting, if desired.

Should you peel asparagus before roasting?

Be wary of any recipe that instructs you to peel asparagus before cooking it. Not only is it labor-intensive, it’s really not necessary. Rick Martinez, BA’s digital associate food editor, explains that as long as you get rid of the bottom portion of the stalk, the rest is entirely edible.

Is asparagus good for high blood pressure?

Summary Asparagus contains potassium, a mineral that can help lower high blood pressure. In addition, animal research has found that asparagus may contain an active compound that dilates blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure.