Asparagus stir-fry with sambar powder tastes like typical south-Indian veg stir-fry. Make it spicy and pair with sambar or dal or curd rice. Asparagus is rich in anti-oxidants to glow your skin and strengthen your bones. Being rich in folates, Asparagus is recommended for Moms-to-be and pregnant ladies. Asparagus is believed to increase breastmilk and so is recommended for feeding moms.
But, Asparagus is said to increase joint pains especially for the ones with arthritis. If you have joint pains, better avoid it, especially in winter.
- Asparagus - 1 bunch
- Coconut oil - 1 tbsp
- Mustard seeds - ¼ tsp
- Urad dal - ¼ tsp
- Cumin seeds/Jeera - ¼ tsp
- Big onion - 1
- Curry leaves - few
- Coriander leaves - few
- Turmeric powder - a generous pinch
- Sambar powder - 1 tsp
- Always get tender Asparagus with thin stems as older ones will be harder & crunchier rather than being juicy. Wash well(both top and bottom) as shown in below pic.
- Cut out the woody part in the bottom & throw away, as they will be harder to chew. Chop the remaining parts including the top flowery part.
- Chop all asparagus and keep ready. Chop a big onion, few coriander leaves and keep ready with few curry leaves.
- In coconut oil or any cooking oil, add mustard seeds. Once spluttered, simmer and add urad dal, cumin seeds. Once dal slightly changes color, add curry leaves and chopped onions.
- Once onions are fried(do not brown), add chopped coriander leaves and give a quick stir. Add chopped asparagus.
- Give a quick stir. Add turmeric powder and sambar powder. If your sambar powder is not spicy, add more plain chilli powder. Give a quick stir.
- Add required salt and stir once. Cook closed. Cook in sim. Open and stir often. If required, sprinkle little water. Cook until asparagus is soft.
2.Do try to make it without water for tastier version. Little sprinkling of water is ok, to avoid any burning.
3.Add more chilli powder depending on your spice level.
Preparation – How to make Asparagus stir-fry ?
1.Always get tender Asparagus with thin stems as older ones will be harder & crunchier rather than being juicy. Wash well(both top and bottom) as shown in below pic.
2.Cut out the woody part in the bottom & throw away, as they will be harder to chew. Chop the remaining parts including the top flowery part.
3.Chop all asparagus and keep ready. Chop a big onion, few coriander leaves and keep ready with few curry leaves.
4.In coconut oil or any cooking oil, add mustard seeds. Once spluttered, simmer and add urad dal, cumin seeds. Once dal slightly changes color, add curry leaves and chopped onions.
5.Once onions are fried(do not brown), add chopped coriander leaves and give a quick stir. Add chopped asparagus.
6.Give a quick stir. Add turmeric powder and sambar powder. If your sambar powder is not spicy, add more plain chilli powder. Give a quick stir.
7.Add required salt and stir once. Cook closed. Cook in sim. Open and stir often. If required, sprinkle little water. Cook until asparagus is soft.
Goes well with sambar rice/ dal rice/ curd rice.
Tips/Tricks in preparing Asparagus stir-fry:
- While chopping, discard the lower parts if you find hard to cut.
- Do try to make it without water for tastier version. Little sprinkling of water is ok, to avoid any burning.
- Add more chilli powder depending on your spice level.
Nutritional Benefits
Asparagus– Dietary fiber, Protein, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Folates, Vitamins A,B,C & K
Leave a Reply