Increasingly, the name asparagus is found in discussions of proper nutrition and in the menu of various diets. But many people first hear about it, and ask the question: "Asparagus - what is it?" This is a useful plant, has several varieties. Culinary specialists prepare a lot of delicious dishes from this vegetable, which we will talk about in an article.

Asparagus: what it is, what species exist

This plant belongs to the asparagus family. There is one name - asparagus (asparagine). It has a number of healing properties, which were known to the ancient Greeks. Hippocrates mentioned asparagus as a healing plant. In Greece, it was used as a remedy. On engravings of architectural monuments found images of this plant.

The ancient Romans cultivated asparagus as a vegetable. The culture was very much appreciated. No wonder it was the property of the royal table and for a long time remained accessible only to noble nobles. Today, a vegetable is no longer a rarity; in almost any large supermarket, it is reachable for everyone. But it is sold at a fairly high price, despite the prevalence.

Types of Asparagus

In nature, there are about 200 varieties, but much less is used.

Common types:

  • Violet
  • green
  • white
  • bean;
  • soya;
  • sea.

Plants are grown in the form of shrubs or grassy. The asparagus herb has tender and tasty shoots, so it is used for food. Shrubs serve as decoration of gardens.

The composition revealed many useful components for the body:

  • Iron - A necessary component of hemoglobin.It is with the help of iron that oxygen is transported through the bloodstream to all organs.
  • Phosphorus - is part of adenosine triphosphoric acid energy component of cells.
  • Potassium - takes part in the regulation and maintenance of osmotic pressure inside the cells, it is necessary to stabilize the heart rhythm, is of great importance for the proper water-salt metabolism, for the normal conduct of nerve impulses, for the correct excretory function of the kidneys.
  • Calcium - it is necessary for good bone density, it is involved in conducting nerve impulses between neurons, it is necessary for the proper functioning of the heart, muscle contractions, and blood coagulation.
  • Magnesium - affects the state of blood vessels, participates in the process of protein metabolism. Relaxes smooth muscles. It takes part in the process of energy transfer and conducting impulses along nerve fibers.
  • Beta carotene - increases immune defense, neutralizes free radicals.
  • Vitamins (E, A, C, B2, B1) - affect the nervous system, the condition of the hair, skin, blood vessels, immunity and other biological mechanisms of the body.

Calorie content of the plant is quite high - 387 kcal per 100 grams of product. It is worth remembering that spices and sauces increase the final value of asparagus dishes.

Read also:asparagus: benefits and harms

Species characteristics

  • White popular in Europe. When growing a plant, it is completely sprinkled with soil. In the absence of light, white shoots are obtained. Due to the complexity of the cultivation of this variety is of high cost. But in terms of taste, it is inferior to other types of asparagus. But in terms of utility, it is at its best.
  • Green asparagus - The most common variety comes from the coasts of the Mediterranean and Caspian seas. This is a medicinal plant. There are many more nutrients in this variety.
  • Purple - rare view. Grown in the dark, only occasionally for a short time is allowed solar radiation. As a result, the plant is painted in a characteristic color.
  • Bean (Asparagus Beans) - bean seeds are red, yellow. Also, can be multi-colored. Unripe beans are used for food. It is imperative to heat-treat the product so that a substance called phaseolunatin is destroyed. This enzyme causes poisoning.
  • Known green beans, which eat young pods.
  • Soybean - A product that make them soy beans. They are first soaked, then ground, then pressed. In this case, soy milk is separated, which is boiled, and the resulting peaks are collected. They are dried. It turns out a product called soy asparagus. It is a high protein product.
  • Marine - grows on the coasts of the seas and salt marshes. It has a salty taste. You can eat it raw, and cook different dishes.

Cooking Asparagus

Asparagus is a healthy product from which you can make many delicious dishes. Below are some cooking options.

It is interesting: the benefits and harms of asparagus

Fried bean with egg

List of ingredients:

  • 300 g of asparagus beans;
  • two eggs;
  • one medium tomato;
  • one onion;
  • two branches of dill;
  • ground black pepper, salt;
  • oil (sunflower or olive).

You can simply fry and pour the egg (pre-whipped), but it will be tastier when adding other components: mushrooms, boiled meat, ham, sausage, various vegetables. It turns out incredibly tasty if you cook the dish with dill and tomatoes.

The asparagus haricot must be washed, cut off the ponytails from both sides. Cut each pod into 3 pieces. 10 minutes, the beans must be boiled in salted water. As soon as it becomes soft, the asparagus is ready. Put in a colander so that the glass of water and beans cool.

Tomatoes and onions should be cut into cubes, and finely chop the dill.

Onion in a small amount of vegetable oil is slightly fried in a pan, then beans are added, sprinkled with spices. Fry a little.

Then the eggs are beaten, and the contents of the pan are poured with them. Mix immediately. After two to three minutes, you need to add the tomatoes, sprinkle with dill. Mix and continue frying for one to two minutes. The dish is used hot with any side dish or salad.

Green Asparagus Cream Soup

Grocery list:

  • 800 g of green asparagus;
  • 300 g of potatoes .;
  • 800 ml of broth;
  • shallot;
  • 150 g cream;
  • 10 g of dry wine (white);
  • two tablespoons of olive oil;
  • salt and pepper.

Peeled potatoes are cut into cubes, from the asparagus the bottom and tops are cut. Cut asparagus in circles.

Heat oil in a pan, fry coarsely chopped shallots (if it is not, you can replace onions), put potatoes and asparagus in a pan. Fry for 10 minutes.

Next, pour white wine, then it should evaporate. Pour all the vegetable broth, cook for 20 minutes.

Grind the contents with a blender, pour cream into the soup, stir, Hold a little on the fire. Add spices. The soup is ready.

Boiled Asparagus Beans Garnished

Rinse the asparagus beans, cut and cook in salted water for about 10 minutes. Then put them in a colander so that the glass is excess liquid. You can use it hot or cold.

Important. To preserve the aroma of asparagus, it must not be digested.

Bake in the oven

For an asparagus dish you will need:

  • asparagus 450 grams;
  • olive oil 15-30 ml;
  • pepper 1/4 teaspoon;
  • salt 1/2 tsp.

It is better to take asparagus with thick shoots for baking. The stems must be washed, cut off the lower ends. Grease a baking sheet with fat. Put the asparagus in a bag, pour over oil, shake well for better oil distribution.

On the baking sheet, decompose the main component in one layer and at a certain distance from each other. Sprinkle with salt and spices. Thin asparagus should be baked for 5-10 minutes. Hold the thick in the oven for up to 20 minutes. Remove the finished dish from the oven, cool slightly. Serve to the table.

Braised Asparagus with Chicken

Products for cooking;

  • 100 ml of chicken stock;
  • 450 g of chicken meat;
  • 200 g asparagus;
  • one lemon;
  • a bunch of green onions;
  • two tablespoons of vegetable oil;
  • two tablespoons of teriyaki sauce;
  • use salt to taste.

Add vegetable oil to a preheated pan. Fry the meat, sliced ​​into strips, to get a golden crust. Next you need to pour the broth, add the sauce. Simmer until ready. Boil asparagus in salted water. If asparagus beans are used, then it is better to stew with chicken in the broth until tender. Arrange on plates, garnish with lemon, sprinkle with green onions.

Carrot Salad

Salad Products:

  • 200 g soya asparagus;
  • 2 onions;
  • one carrot;
  • mayonnaise is used to taste;
  • red pepper and salt.

Boil water, pour asparagus on it. It is soaked for three hours, then drained. Cut the main component into pieces. Onion divided in half. One half must be marinated with vinegar, and the other, along with chopped carrots, put in a frying pan. Ready ingredients are put in a salad bowl, seasoned with mayonnaise. Mix everything and serve.

Baked in cream sauce

The following products will be required for cooking:

  • 10 sprigs of asparagus;
  • flour two spoons (tablespoons);
  • two tablespoons of butter (tablespoons);
  • a glass of cream;
  • a glass of milk;
  • lemon juice, pepper, salt.

Cook the asparagus in a creamy sauce following the sequence.

Pre-cooked asparagus cut into pieces (4 cm). Put butter in a deep frying pan. Fry asparagus with flour. Pour in milk, put out. Add half a glass of cream. Put pepper, salt, a little lemon juice. Remove the pan from the stove. Beat the remaining cream and pour into the sauce, mix. 15 minutes bake in the oven.

What is asparagus made of in Korean, and how to cook it?

A popular Korean salad can be made with soy asparagus. This is a semi-finished product that is made from soy. Soy milk is boiled for a long time, or rather, languished. Foams form.They are collected, then dried. It turns out a product called fuju or soy asparagus. Before you cook something, asparagus must be soaked for a day, you can pour boiling water for three hours, or cook.

Necessary components:

  • 200 grams of asparagus;
  • vegetable oil;
  • seasoning (one package) for Korean carrots;
  • 400 grams of carrots.

Korean asparagus is prepared as follows:

Cut softened or cooked asparagus into slices, grate carrots (long thin strips). Mix, put the Korean seasoning, finish the vinegar. Bring vegetable oil to a boil. Pour it into the salad and wait a bit (1 - 2 hours) to insist.

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