In season for only a few weeks of the year, asparagus is a real treat. If you can get hold of fresh British asparagus (look out for spears grown in the Wye Valley in Herefordshire and the Vale of Evesham in Worcestershire) all it needs is a quick dip in boiling water, followed by a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt and a crack of black pepper – heaven.
But it’s also delicious roasted, grilled, or cooked up in a variety of springtime dishes, such as frittatas, beautiful salads, stir-fries, or even sushi. Here are our favourite asparagus recipes that make the most of this veggie hero.
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
Looking for an elegant weekend brunch recipe to feed a crowd? Rustle up this vibrant spring onion and parsley dressing to coat tender spears of asparagus, and serve with soft-boiled eggs and a crunchy bacon topping! Yum.
Asparagus joins friends broccoli and mint in Jamie’s fun expression of a shakshuka. The sautéed potato base is nice and mellow, leaving the greens to shine along with eggs that are cooked just to your liking.
For a simple but delicious combo, top grilled asparagus with olive oil, lemon and Parmesan to bring out its nutty sweetness. As far asparagus recipes go, this has got to be one of the purest expressions of this beautiful spring veg.
Asparagus and eggs are the best of friends, so we’ve taken dippy eggs up a gear with this brilliant breakfast recipe. Grilled asparagus is wrapped in crispy pancetta for super-charged soldiers.
Asparagus is no stranger to a breakfast menu, but this grilled asparagus and poached egg on toast really is something special. Griddling the asparagus amps up the flavour, and it goes brilliantly with a few shavings of Parmesan cheese.
PASTA & RISOTTO
Jamie’s fresh take on a classic carbonara heroes delicate sautéed asparagus and crisp smoky bacon. Finished off with a peppery silky cheese sauce, this dish is far greater than the sum of its parts. And for a veggie version, give this beautiful asparagus linguine a go.
This light and fluffy gnocchi dish is the perfect seasonal supper. Using just five ingredients, it’s super simple to prepare, and really shows off the flavours of asparagus, fresh thyme and Parmesan. Dig in! Or fancy using ready made gnocchi for a super speedy midweek win? Watch Jamie cook up this fantastic sweet tomato gnocchi.
When you’re looking for a bit of sophistication, this dish combines the comfort of a good risotto with the fresh flavours of crab and asparagus. This is a celebration of seasonal produce, so the flavour will be off the chart if you can get hold of fresh crab and British asparagus. A real delight.
LUNCH AND DINNER
Embrace the asparagus season with two recipes in one! Flaky wholemeal pastry, soft ricotta and tangy Cheddar cheese make this quiche a real treat – paired with a silky asparagus soup, it’s a special springtime lunch.
Succulent salmon in crispy golden pastry with asparagus on top – this is a proper celebration of spring. If you can find wild garlic to add to the mushroom layer, even better! Give this one a go for family and friends at the weekend.
Have you bought some asparagus and not sure what to cook with it? Hero it in this quick one-pan wonder that’s full of flavour pops from cherry tomatoes, garlic, lemon and harissa-rubbed white fish. It’s on the plate in just 15 minutes, which is a big win for any day of the week.
Hungry for more? Take a look at more of our asparagus recipes here.
