RESTAURANT STYLE ASPARAGUS RECIPES

Steps:

• The day prior to making this dish, drain and rinse 1 tbsp diced green chilies. Add to a bowl the drained chilies, soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce and rice vinegar. Refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to make the dish, add the content of the bowl to a food processor and pulse once or twice. Set aside.
• Slice the onion and trim and cut the asparagus spears into thirds. Grate the ginger and chop the garlic.
• Heat a dry wok or heavy frying pan on medium-high heat. It will be hot enough when water evaporates almost immediately after hitting the pan.
• Pour in the oil making sure to rotate the wok or pan to get all sides coated evenly as you pour.
• Toss in the ginger and garlic and stir-fry for one minute. Add the asparagus, onion and pureed green chili paste and stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
• Add the oyster sauce and cornstarch, continuing to fry for about another minute so the cornstarch thickens the sauce.
• Remove from heat and place into a serving dish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

Steps:

• Snap off and discard the tough bottoms of the asparagus spears. If using large, thick asparagus, peel the lower ends with a vegetable peeler.
• Put butter in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus in one layer and season with salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup water, cover, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the asparagus is firm-tender, about 3 minutes. Take care not to overcook them; they should still be bright green. (They will continue to cook a bit once the heat is off.) Remove the asparagus from the pan and place on a serving platter.
• Turn heat to high and simmer briskly until most of the liquid has evaporated, a minute or so. Add lemon juice and zest to the buttery juices. Turn off heat and stir in chives, parsley, tarragon and dill, if using. Check seasoning. Spoon the sauce over the asparagus, garnish with a few herb leaves, and serve.