Asparagus - Choose, Cook and Enjoy

Asparagus is available almost year-round but choose and cook asparagus while it is in season. I heartily refuse to buy the wax paper wrapped bundles jetted in from southern continents. The asparagus is as taut, rigid and lifeless as a three-day old corpse - try convincing me these are "fresh"... read more

When asparagus is fresh I like it simply lathered with salted, clarified butter - delicious. Sauces are wonderful and the French have endless lists of them, usually based on Hollandaise - the sauce that has reduced many competent cooks to tears. If you are not too strict about using machines Hollandaise can be achieved with near perfect results in a food processor.

• Sauces for Asparagus

The Cream of Asparagus Soup recipe is a great recipe for using up any mishapen bundles which can usually be bought for less than the picture-perfect ones.

• Asparagus Soup with Poached Egg

Breakfast or brunch will never be the same again after you have tried these warm potato cakes with bacon. Simple yet effective and most certainly moreish, you want them again, I promise.

• Asparagus with Warm Potato Pancakes and Bacon

Asparagus and crab make a superb combination especially when brought together in a tart. Tarts are so versatile, they make great lunch or supper dishes, pop into a lunch box and what better picnic food. This recipes has all the hallmarks of great Spring food.

• Crab and Asparagus Tart Recipe

A novel and exciting way to use asparagus is baked into a muffin. Couple this with the addition of cheese and you have a great brunch dish.

• Asparagus and Cheese Muffins

What better way to enjoy fresh, seasonal asparagus than with Pan Fried Beef with Asparagus. This Beef Fillet and Asparagus Recipe is served with a punchy horseradish hollandaise sauce, the perfect marriage for both beef and asparagus.

• Pan Fried Beef with Asparagus and Horseradish Hollandaise

Asparagus, Haddock and Smokey Bacon Fishcakes are a delicious way to use fresh asparagus during the asparagus season. Combined with haddock and smokey bacon and a herb mayonnaise, this fishcake recipe makes a quick, easy supper dish

• Smoked Haddock, Bacon and Asparagus Fishcakes Recipe

If you want a lighter version, of this recipe or for a vegetarian dish try this alternative

• Asparagus and Sweetcorn Cakes Recipe

There are many ways to cook and serve asparagus but they don't come easier than Asparagus Twigs, Baked Asparagus in Filo Pastry.

Asparagus Twigs make a great canape for parties and picnics, but equally make a great starter dish served with a side salad and mayonnaise for dipping.

• Asparagus Twigs Recipes

Quick, easy, and utterly delicious Warm Asparagus, Rocket, Pea and Bean Salad is the perfect lunch dish for a spring day

• Warm Asparagus Salad Recipe

Asparagus is a favorite vegetable not just in Britain but around the world. Here are some of my favorites form About's Food Guides to make enjoying the Asparagus season even better.

• Asparagus Risotto - Risotto agli Asparagi from Italian Food
• A collection of Asparagus Recipes from American Food.
• From Chinese Food - Stir-fry Scallops and Asparagus
• A delicious Asparagus Soup using white asparagus from German Food.
• Asparagus with Serrano Ham and Béchamel Sauce Recipe - Esparragos Gratinados from Spanish Food.
• Beautifully simple Roasted Asparagus from French Food.