How to Microwave Asparagus in Paper Towel: Quick Vegetable Side Dish

Asparagus is a versatile and healthy vegetable that can be prepared and cooked in many ways.

One popular method of cooking asparagus is microwaving.

Not only is this a quick and easy way to prepare asparagus, but it also retains the nutrients and vitamins better than other methods of cooking.

In this blog post, we will teach you how to microwave asparagus in a paper towel, offering you some terrific vegetable cooking tips, kitchen hacks for quick meals, and easy recipes that will transform your vegetable side dishes.

We’ll also provide you with the pros and cons of microwaving, as well as answer frequently asked questions about this method of cooking.

Read Also: How Long to Cook Asparagus in Oven

Why You Should Consider Microwaving Asparagus

Microwaving asparagus has several benefits worth considering:

Retains Nutrients

Cooking vegetables can destroy important vitamins and minerals found within them. However, microwaving vegetables like asparagus has been shown to retain more vitamins than boiling or frying them.

Saves Time

Microwaving cooks food much faster than using other traditional methods such as baking or grilling. With our step-by-step guide below on how to microwave asparagus in paper towel, you can have a nutritious side dish ready within minutes.

Easy Preparation

Preparing your asparagus for the microwave is quick too! Unlike previous recipes or guides requiring oil or seasoning at the start of preparation, there isn’t any required prior setup needed here.

Step-by-Step Guide on How To Microwave Asparagus in Paper Towel

Our simple four steps are both easy-to-follow with few dishes involved:

Step 1: Rinse & Dry

Beginning by rinsing your bunch of picked (or pre-washed) Aspargus under fresh running water; next grab a short roll of perforated tissue from your kitchen cupboard (or nearby storage area).

Step 2: Wrap in Paper Towel

Wrap your asparagus thoroughly with the chosen paper towel, leaving no parts of the vegetable uncovered such that each one is tightly nestled within.

Step 3: Microwave

Place your wrapped bundle of asparagus into the microwave and cook directly for a minute at full power before opening up and checking if they’re tender-enough to stop cooking. If not, return to cooking for a further ten to twenty seconds.

Step 4: Season & Serve

Season your cooked asparagus with salt or a salt-substitute then serve immediately when warm. Enjoy!

Precautions for Microwaving Asparagus in Paper Towel

As with any kitchen activity, taking precautions is essential to avoid injury or damage:

• Do not oversoak or drench your paper towel – this will lead to water retention causing you burns while pulling it out.
• Remember that even once cooked, hot contents may remain inside beneath the paper towel so be sure it has cooled down before attempting to plate-up.
• Use oven mitts while removing from microwave oven.

Factors Affecting Cooking Time

Different microwaves can vary in power strength which can affect cooking time of your vegetables noticeably. Here are several factors affecting how long you need to microwave your Aspargus:

• Size of Aspargus (thicker stems require more cooking).
• Bundles or individual stalks pressed together may need longer than separate pieces spread out throughout dish space.
• Wattage/Power of Microwave Oven – this will impact how fast food typically gets heated up by radiating waves.

Expert Tips for Perfectly Microwaving Asparagus

To make sure that you get perfectly microwaved asparagus every time follow these expert tips:

Regular turning

Whenever possible turn over bunches during microwaving so that all sides are exposed uniformly.

Softened Tissue

When choosing a paper towel, it best to use a softer and more absorbent tissue brand so that damage or puncturing is avoided when releasing the vessel.

Don’t Microwave Too Long

Overcooking asparagus will leave it limp and tasteless. Always check your asparagus every thirty seconds to monitor progress and prevent cooking over time.

Advantages of Microwaving Asparagus

Microwaving has several advantages for cooking asparagus:

• Vegetables like Aspargus are guaranteed to cook evenly throughout when microwaved.
• The microwave is overall much faster than traditional boiling/weighs up the food.
• Microwave-cooked vegetable dishes retain better color and texture compared to other methods.

Disadvantages of Microwaving Asparagus

While microwaving may seem like the clear choice, there can also be some shortcomings:

• Some people find that vegetables cooked in a microwave oven have less flavor compared to ones made with different methods.
• Frown upon quick-food/busy-lifestyles who often tend toward microwaved dinners neglecting more nutritious cooking styles at home because of its accessibility today.*

*It’s worth noting that such criticisms lay not with the process itself but rather the approach some households take toward integrating lesser-used kitchen techniques rather than utilizing microwave-cooking as their primary means of meal preparation overall.

Frequently Asked Questions About Microwaving Asparagus

Can I eat my microwave cooked Apsargus cold?

Yes! Although most people prefer them warm, it’s entirely safe to eat leftovers with proper storage – simply ziplock your uneven leaves & snap up any damaged tales; then store in fridge until ready for reheating another day.

Is using a plastic wrap instead of paper towel ideal?

We do not recommend using plastic wrap simply because it can potentially contain BPA which leach harmful chemicals into food while under high temperatures like those produced by microwaves.

Can I add any seasonings or herbs?

Yes! Add whatever you prefer – freshly ground pepper to sweet red peppers, adding a squeeze of lemon juice or soy sauce dressing, even mixing in diced tomatoes during the final plating is pleasing.

Conclusion

Microwaving asparagus in paper towel offers an easy way to create a nutritious and flavorful side dish. With our step-by-step guide, you can get perfectly cooked asparagus every time.

While there are some disadvantages to microwaving asparagus, the benefits outweigh them for busy students or those who work long hours looking for ease during meal prep without sacrificing the balance between nutrition/taste.

So why not try this method tonight and let us know your favorite seasonings/fresh ingredients used!