Is asparagus on your menu these days? If not, it should be! This spring treat is easy to cook and extremely versatile—it can be boiled, steamed, grilled or roasted. Lightly steamed asparagus is wonderful with just a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Look for asparagus that’s evenly green from top to bottom and choose bunches with stalks that are uniform in size to ensure even cooking. To prepare asparagus for cooking, simply take a stalk in your hands and bend until the woody end snaps off. Cook just the tender top spears, and compost the ends or use them when making vegetable stock. Need any more reasons to take advantage of peak-season asparagus? It’s a good source of vitamin C and also supplies iron, folate, beta-carotene and glutathione (an antioxidant). Now, let’s talk recipes! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this classic spring vegetable. Salads, Soups and Simple Sides

• Asparagus with Mustard-Herb Vinaigrette
• Red Potato and Asparagus Salad
• Spring Salad with Asparagus Curls
• Creamy Spring Asparagus Soup
• Lemon Sesame Asparagus

Pastas and Risottos

• Asparagus and Portobello Farfalle
• Pasta with Asparagus, Prosciutto and Pecorino Romano
• Brown Rice Spring Vegetable “Risotto”
• Risotto with Asparagus

Oven-Roasted Dishes, Stratas and Quiches

• Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
• Roasted Asparagus with Garlic and Parsley
• Oven-Roasted Pecan Crunch Catfish with Asparagus
• Portobello and Asparagus Egg Strata
• Turkey and Asparagus Quiche

Now it’s your turn to tell us: what’s your favorite way to enjoy asparagus? Post a note in the comments below to share your idea!