Food - Drink
Why You Should Blanch Asparagus Before
Grilling It
By GILLIE HOUSTON
According to one food blogger, the secret to making perfectly tender, snappy grilled asparagus is to blanch them first. Per Bon Appétit, when it comes to asparagus, which has a notably fibrous texture, blanching is a good idea before just about any cooking method, be it roasting, searing, or grilling.
Blanching enhances the vibrant green color of asparagus, and partially cooks it so that it has to spend less time on the grill. Not blanching the asparagus before grilling could result in dry, unevenly cooked asparagus that’s overcooked on the outside but undercooked in the center.
To properly blanch asparagus, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, drop your cleaned and trimmed asparagus in, and cook for about three to four minutes. If you plan on grilling the asparagus immediately, transfer them to a bowl, and toss with olive oil and seasonings before grilling — but if you’re waiting, soak them in a large bowl of ice water, drain the bowl, and set the asparagus aside.