Fresh green asparagus

This time of the year is like Christmas for any cook and chef!  There are so many things in season right now, like asparagus, artichokes and other delights.  A few weeks ago we were enjoying wild asparagus: something I have never prepared until recently.  But more about that soon...

Here are a few important storage tips for fresh asparagus:
1.  Keep fresh asparagus clean, cold and covered.
2.  Wash several times and pat dry.
3.  Place in moisture-proof wrapping.
4.  Refrigerate and use within 2 or 3 days for best quality.
5.  To maintain freshness, wrap a moist paper towel around the stem ends, or stand upright in a little cold water.

My favourite preparation methods are steaming, flash-frying or stir-frying.  Merisa asked me for some tortilla wrap filling ideas, so here are a few using asparagus...

a.  Smoked chicken breasts, cut into strips, with mayonnaise, fresh steamed asparagus and papaya.
b.  All-vegetarian flash-fried asparagus spears, with hummus, char-grilled aubergine, a dash of home-made mayonnaise and wild rocket.
c.  Smoked ham or something like prosciutto, asparagus, and béarnaise sauce (recipe on my Blog).
d.  Strips of fillet, asparagus spears, lettuce and tzatsiki.

The possibilities are endless!  Have fun, Merisa! 

More "easy recipes" from "Sophia Lindop"