Published May 1, 1993.
To determine the best and easiest asparagus recipe for jumbo or medium spears, we tried boiling and microwaving. But in the end, steaming got our vote as the best asparagus recipe. Not only was it faster than boiling, it resulted in a more healthful plate of asparagus, peeled or not. And forget about microwaving asparagus entirely: It shriveled and dried the spears out. For the best grilled asparagus, we steamed the spears first, and then grilled them briefly to give them some smoky flavor.
For really great-tasting asparagus you should grill it over charcoal or wood. A gas grill will do in a pinch but, unfortunately, a broiler doesn't do the trick.
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