With Sure Deals opens in a new tab, more than $56 in coupons opens in a new tab, 11 new budget-friendly recipes opens in a new tab, a daily meal planner opens in a new tab and money-saving tips opens in a new tab, The Whole Deal opens in a new tab value guide is all about seizing the most of the season for less money.Asparagus is one of the season’s superstars – freshest and at its best during the spring.
Hot or cold, sautéed or steamed, roasted or grilled, this versatile vegetable can do it all so don’t waste a spear. Here are five of our favorite (read: tastiest) ways to make the most of asparagus season:
5 Money-Saving Asparagus Tips
Chopped. It takes just a few stems to add flavor and nutrients to a (budget-friendly) frittata opens in a new tab for brunch or dinner.
Puréed. Make the star of the season shine in a soup, stretching with puréed potatoes, or in baby food (see below). Try this delightfully green Creamy Spring Asparagus Soup opens in a new tab.
Shaved. Get two dishes from one bunch by reserving a stalk or two from the first recipe, and using a veggie peeler to shave into a green salad, as in this Spring Salad with Strawberries and Creamy Orange-Avocado Dressing opens in a new tab.
Tossed. Stretch your asparagus power by adding a lightly steamed and chopped stalk to tuna (a Sure Deal opens in a new tab), shrimp, chicken or egg salad.
Wrapped. Trim your asparagus serving size by adding a cooked spear to a wrap sandwich with smoked ham or turkey (download coupon opens in a new tab) and Dijon mustard (a Sure Deal opens in a new tab).
Although some people don’t discover asparagus until adulthood (gasp!), it’s a veggie for all ages. Featuring in-season, fresh asparagus (preferably organic), Asparagus Baby Food opens in a new tab is just right for your little one as is, but you can combine with puréed potatoes or apples if their tiny taste buds prefer. (At only 58¢ per serving, it will nourish your budget too!)
Asparagus Baby FoodAbout six 1/4-cup servings
Ingredients:
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Method:
Steam in a steamer basket set over 1 inch of water in a large, covered pot until tender, about 10 minutes; reserve cooking water. Purée in a food processor until smooth, adding a tablespoon or 2 of the cooking water, if needed. If desired, push purée through a fine sieve. Cover and chill for up to 3 days, or freeze in tightly sealed containers.
If those ideas whet your palate, we’ve got more than 50 recipes opens in a new tab that spotlight asparagus to satiate your hunger.
Have a favorite asparagus idea or recipe? I would love to hear it.
