Recipe Sifter

When spring arrives, asparagus is always one of our favorite vegetables; and the best way to cook them is roasting or grilling that develops tons of flavor, simply toss with the marinated artichoke hearts, hmm, now there is a good reason to allow yourself to indulge.

BBQ'd Lamb Loin stuffed with semi dried tomatoes and asparagus spears and served with bush tomato chutney and sauteed English spinach.

Savory orange roasted tofu and asparagus pairs crispy-edged cubes of miso-glazed tofu with spring asparagus, tossed in a bright orange-basil-miso sauce. A vegan, gluten-free spring dinner.

Asparagus cornet with lemon dressing wraps puff pastry into golden cones, fills them with crisp-tender asparagus spears, and serves over a homemade lemon-mustard mayonnaise. Restaurant-grade plated appetizer for special occasions.

Asparagus and crabmeat salad layers crisp-tender spears over butter lettuce, crowned with sweet lump crab folded into a tomato-Dijon mayonnaise. Elegant cold appetizer or light lunch that comes together in minutes with make-ahead dressing.

Pasta with asparagus, an aglio e olio-style dish with five cloves of garlic, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, fresh asparagus, and Parmesan over mostaccioli. Light, garlicky, ready in 40 minutes.

Asparagus with Toasted Pine Nuts and Lemon Vinaigrette recipe

Whole wheat couscous topped with sautéed asparagus, yellow bell pepper, zucchini, and Bermuda onion. A 15-minute vegetarian side or light main that celebrates fresh spring vegetables.

Curried cold asparagus soup with chicken broth, egg yolks, and cream, lightly spiced with curry powder and brightened with a squeeze of lemon. Elegant chilled spring soup for first courses.

Dilled asparagus marinated in olive oil, dill pickle juice, and chopped dill pickles with garlic. A tangy no-cook side dish served cold on lettuce, great for summer meals.

Lobster Monte Carlo plates grilled lobster and shrimp over vegetable risotto with asparagus and portobello, finished in lemon butter sauce. A restaurant-style Mother's Day dinner for two.

Sauteed fresh morel mushrooms with Granny Smith apples, asparagus tips, and butter noodles flambed with Calvados. A spring-foraged dish with chipotle heat and watercress garnish.

Pasta with smoked mozzarella: bow-tie pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh asparagus, thyme, and melty smoked mozzarella. A light pasta dinner that works hot or as a next-day salad.

Chinese beef and asparagus stir-fry with dried mushrooms, snow peas, and oyster sauce in a glossy cornstarch-thickened sauce. Restaurant-style wok cooking at home.

Chilled asparagus and strawberry salad tossed in a honey-walnut oil vinaigrette with strawberry vinegar. A stunning spring side dish that's equal parts sweet, tangy, and crisp.

Sirloin steak with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and bow-tie pasta in a basil-tomato broth topped with Parmesan. A light, high-protein skillet dinner ready in just 20 minutes.