Asparagus 1 bunch

Buy fresh asparagus online from London Grocery! They are best asparagus in London!

Asparagus is a spring vegetable that is widely known for its unique, earthy flavor and slender, spear-shaped appearance. It is a member of the lily family and is typically green in color, although there are also white and purple varieties available.

Asparagus is highly nutritious and is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It is low in calories and is often included in healthy diets as a means of providing important nutrients without excess calories or fat. Asparagus is also known to have diuretic properties, which can be beneficial for those who are looking to reduce water retention or maintain healthy kidney function.

How to Select Fresh Asparagus?

Look for bright green or violet-tinged spears with firm (not limp) stems. Make sure the tips are closed and compact. When the bunch is squeezed, it should squeak. Also, be sure to avoid stalks that appear woody.

How to Store Asparagus?

Trim the bottoms and stand the spears up in a glass or jar with about an inch of water. Cover with a plastic bag then refrigerate them for up to 4 days. Change the water as it gets cloudy to keep the asparagus perky and fresh.

Asparagus is Good for You!

It's low in calories and a great source of nutrients, including fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K. Additionally, eating asparagus has a number of potential health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, healthy pregnancy outcomes and lower blood pressure.

Best Recipe for Asparagus

Asparagus Soup

Ingredients

• 2 bunches asparagus (about 2-1/4 pounds), bottom ends trimmed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Handful fresh herbs, such as thyme, dill or basil (optional, for garnish)

Preparation

• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Do not brown; reduce the heat if necessary.
• In the meantime, cut the tips off of one bunch of the asparagus and set aside (you'll use those for a garnish). Cut the remaining spears and the other bunch of asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Add the chopped asparagus to the pot (minus the reserved tips), along with the chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender.
• Meanwhile, bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the reserved asparagus tips for a few minutes, or until tender-crisp. Drain the tips and then place them in a bowl of ice water to "shock" them -- this stops the cooking process and preserves their bright green color. Once the tips are cool, drain them and set aside.
• Purée the soup with an immersion blender until completely smooth. (Alternatively, use a standard blender to purée the soup in batches, then return the soup to the pot.) Bring the soup back to a simmer and stir in the lemon juice and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. To thicken the soup, allow it to simmer, uncovered, until the desired consistency is reached.
• Ladle the soup into bowls, then top each bowl with asparagus tips, Parmigiano-Reggiano, herbs (if using), and freshly ground black pepper.

Chef's Hint

Did you try grilled asparagus? It's super tasty!