Behold, the Mighty Asparagus! Delicious and Nutritious Asparagus Recipes

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is asparagus good for youKnown for its unique, savory taste, asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable that is a must-have for anyone looking to improve their diet. Asparagus sports numerous nutrients and low calories, and is amazingly versatile in the number of dishes it can be used in.

Read on to learn all about the benefits of this spectacular pinecone-on-a-stick.

Nutritional Stats of Asparagus

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrients Database lists the nutritional content of one cup of raw asparagus as containing the following:

  • 27 calories
  • 125 grams (g) of water
  • 0 g of fat
  • 5 g of carbohydrates
  • 3 g each of sugar, fiber, and protein
  • 70% of your body’s daily vitamin K requirement
  • 20% of vitamin A
  • 17% folate
  • 16% iron
  • 13% of vitamin C and thiamin

 

Health Benefits of Asparagus

Since it’s so full of nutrients, it should come as little surprise that asparagus is associated with a host of health advantages. A diet that includes regular asparagus consumption can be expected to produce some of the following perks:

1. Safer pregnancies

Pregnant women take folic acid, a B-vitamin also known as folate, to reduce their risk of having a miscarriage. Folate also helps protect the fetus from developing neural tube defects as it grows. The 17% folate in asparagus makes the vegetable one of the top natural sources of the vitamin and is highly useful during any period of rapid growth.

2. Lower homocysteine levels

Homocysteine is an amino acid that’s been associated with blood vessel inflammation and is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Those with high homocysteine levels are almost three times more likely to suffer a stroke and almost twice as prone to developing heart disease.

Certain B-vitamins, like folate, help break down homocysteine and can reduce this risk. Additionally, homocysteine can interfere with serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine production in the brain and possibly affect mood and depression.

3. Happier bowels

The insoluble fiber in asparagus can’t be digested by the body and absorb water along its travel through the body. In the bowel, it acts as a bulking agent to stool by providing both mass and water to increase softness and size—both elements that help stool get passed. Proper fiber intake ensures regularity and ease of bowel movements, ensuring regular expulsion of various toxins and waste.

4. Better bones

Low vitamin K is associated with a higher risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis, but fortunately asparagus has 70% of your daily need. Vitamin K also helps the body absorb and process calcium, preventing it from getting lost through urination. Asparagus also contains iron, which helps maintain the elasticity and strength of joints.

Asparagus Recipes

While you can easily mix some bits of asparagus into an omelet or steam some stalks to have with your dinner, an even better idea is to try some of these delectable recipes to really boost your asparagus consumption.

1. Asparagus Risotto

Ingredients:

  • 1 1⁄2 pounds of asparagus
  • 5 cups of canned low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1 large onion
  • 2 cups of Arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
  • 1⁄2 cup of dry white wine
  • 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1⁄4 cup of whipped cream
  • Rosemary (for garnishing)

Directions:

1. Trim rough ends from asparagus; discard.

2. Cut off asparagus tips and reserve.

3. Cut stalks into 3/4 inch-long pieces.

4. Place 2/3 of celery stalks, one cup of broth, and one cup of water and mix in the blender. Puree until it reaches a smooth consistency; set aside.

5. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add in the onion and sauté until tender—this should take about eight minutes.

6. Add rice and stir one minute.

7. Add wine, cook, and stir for about two minutes.

8. Add rosemary and 1/2 cup of broth, simmer and stir for about four minutes. Cook for another 15 minutes (continue to add broth by half cupful—make sure liquid is absorbed before adding the next half cupful). Stir often.

9. Add reserved asparagus stalk pieces and reserved asparagus tips and continue cooking until rice is just tender and mixture is creamy; continue adding broth as needed and stir often, about 10 minutes longer.

10. Add reserved asparagus puree and stir until absorbed, about three minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of parmesan and cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

11. Transfer risotto to bowl.

12. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.

13. Serve, passing remaining Parmesan separately.

2. Phyllo-Wrapped Asparagus

Ingredients:

  • 8-9 spears of asparagus
  • 0.5 (16 ounces) of thawed phyllo pastry sheets
  • 1⁄4 cup of butter, melted
  • 1⁄4 cup of parmesan cheese (finely grated)

Directions:

1. Before you begin, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cut off the ends of the asparagus.

3. Unwrap the phyllo and cut the stack in half (make sure it is cut lengthwise). Reserve one stack for later use. Cover the phyllo with a damp towel to keep it from drying out.

4. Take one sheet of phyllo and brush lightly with some melted butter. Sprinkle with parmesan.

5. Place two to three asparagus spears on the short end of the sheet. Roll up, jelly-roll style.

6. Place each piece, seam side down, on a baking sheet. Brush with more melted butter and sprinkle with more Parmesan. Repeat until all the asparagus spears are used up.

7. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

3. Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 8-10 fresh asparagus tips
  • 1 mozzarella string cheese, separated into strings
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon of fresh coarse ground black pepper
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon of fine sea salt
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon of crumbled dried basil leaves
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced

Directions:

1. Place breast between two sheets of wax paper and gently pound with the side of a glass until it is at least 1 1/2 times its original size.

2. Lay a few strings of the cheese across the center of the breast and then place asparagus tips on the cheese. Lay a few more strings of cheese over the asparagus.

3. Roll the chicken breast up around the cheese and asparagus. You can skewer the ends with a toothpick—just remember to pull it out before serving.

4. Lay remaining cheese strings in a crisscross pattern across the top. Sprinkle with herbs and spices.

5. Lightly spray baking dish with olive oil and place the stuffed breast in the center of the dish. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 minutes. Serve with a side salad and enjoy!


Related Articles:

Asparagus: Gardening Tips, Springtime Recipes, and Health Benefits


Sources for Today’s Article:
“Asparagus Risotto,” Food.com; http://www.food.com/recipe/asparagus-risotto-37801, last accessed September 24, 2015.
“Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breasts,” Food.com; http://www.food.com/recipe/asparagus-stuffed-chicken-breasts-520427, last accessed September 24, 2015.
“Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus,” Food.com; http://www.food.com/recipe/phyllo-wrapped-asparagus-184523, last accessed September 24, 2015.
“National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference,” United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service web site; http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2861, last accessed September 24, 2015.
Ware, M. “What are the health benefits of asparagus?” Medical News Today web site, April 8, 2015; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270805.php.