Spices to Use on Cooked Asparagus

eHow
June 24, 2011

Asparagus has a delicate flavor that needs little accompaniment. Sauteed, roasted or steamed asparagus is delicious with just salt and pepper, but many spices complement the verdant flavor of this vegetable. Prepare the asparagus using the desired cooking method, and explore various flavor profiles with the addition of spices and seasonings.

Allspice
Allspice berries are the dried fruit of the “pimento tree” native to Latin America. Its name is derived from its flavor, which tastes like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Allspice is commonly used in Jamaican cuisine, but its warm, aromatic flavor is reminiscent of fall and winter holiday favorites in the United States. Saute fresh asparagus in butter until tender, but still a bit crisp. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and allspice.

Garlic
Fresh garlic is a vegetable, but in its powdered form, garlic is a spice used in all sorts of dishes. Garlic has a pungent aroma and flavor. Raw garlic is spicy with an onion characteristic, but it sweetens as it cooks. Saute fresh asparagus in olive oil and toss with granulated garlic, or saute fresh minced garlic with the asparagus until lightly golden. Fresh garlic can also be sliced into thin slivers and roasted on a pan with asparagus drizzled in olive oil. Keep an eye on garlic when cooking, however, as burnt garlic becomes very bitter.

Ginger
Ginger is a pungent, spicy root used often in Asian cuisines. Ginger complements sweet flavors. It is often used in baking, and can be candied. Ginger is considered a spice in its powdered form. Try this ginger-sesame asparagus recipe: Cut 1 ½ pound of asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Blanch until tender-crisp, about five minutes, and shock in an ice bath to stop the cooking. In a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tbsp. canola oil over high heat. Add the drained asparagus, 1/8 tsp. powdered ginger (dried ginger is very strong), 1 tbsp. soy sauce and a pinch of crushed red pepper. Cook one to two minutes until asparagus is heated through. Garnish with one tsp. each of sesame oil and sesame seeds.

Nutmeg
Nutmeg is the seed of the nutmeg tree. It comes in whole seed form, and the 1-inch nut-shaped seeds have their best flavor when freshly grated. Nutmeg can also be found in ground form. The flavor is slightly sweet, and nutmeg adds a certain richness to dishes. Asparagus in hollandaise sauce is a rich dish of asparagus topped with a creamy sauce. This roasted asparagus dish is a lighter take on the heavy classic: Preheat an oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Trim 1 pound of asparagus and lay in a single layer on a foil-lined pan. Roast for 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender and the tips begin to brown. Sprinkle with the zest of a lemon, salt, pepper and ½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg. Toss to coat.

References
Gourmet Sleuth: Allspice
Good Housekeeping: Sesame-Ginger Asparagus
Food Network; Roasted Asparagus; Alton Brown; 2010


Resources
Spice Advice: Spice Usage Tips