Kitchen Tips: The Power of Lateral Thinking

[akirlu]

I bought some baby asparagus late last week, and only used less than half. Foolishly, I didn't think to bag the rest before putting them in the fridge. Come yesterday, the spears were looking very sad indeed: floppy and wilted from dehydration. "Well, hydrate, then," thinks I. So I cut off the bottoms, as you'd do with cut flowers, and popped the spears into a pint glass of water. This morning they're just as springy and firm and upright as you could wish. Whee. Now if I can pick up some salmon tonight, I'll make salmon hash with asparagus. Yum.

Comments

Upright Asparagus

[anitar.livejournal.com]

During asparagus season at the grocery store I often see the bunches standing upright in a shallow pan of water.

Re: Upright Asparagus

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Huh. Clever idea, that. (Of course it is, since I replicated it independently! :>) I don't think I've seen that, or if I have, I haven't noticed.

Re: Upright Asparagus

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

Ours are like that at the grocery, too, and I was trained to put them in a glass with a bit of water in the fridge when I get home. (Microwave them that way, too!)

Re: Upright Asparagus

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Oooh, hmmmm. The idea of microwaving asparagus upright in a glass of water is very intriguing. I'll have to try that. I know that the whole idea of having a specialized asparagus pot is to cook them upright with only their 'feet' in water, so that the tough bits get most contact with the tenderizing effect of heat, and the tender shoots get the least.