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Perfect Oven-Steamed Asparagus: A Simple & Healthy Recipe

Asparagus is the healthy eater's dream food -- it has no fat or cholesterol, and is loaded with vitamins A, C and B6, as well as potassium, fiber and folic acid. Asparagus is delicious raw, broiled, roasted or steamed. If you don't have a large enough pot to steam asparagus on the stove, try steaming it in the oven.

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Rinse the asparagus under cool water to ensure all dirt and grit is washed away.

  • Pat the asparagus dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

  • Bend a spear to break it at its natural breaking point and discard the woody stems. Repeat this process for each spear.

  • Insert the wire rack into the pan and add just enough water so that the water does not reach the rack.

  • Pour the salt into the water.

  • Place the asparagus spears on top of the wire rack so that the spears don't fall between the holes.

  • Cover the dish with foil.

  • Place the pan in the oven and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the desired "bite" of the asparagus. Properly cooked, asparagus has a little resistance to it when you bite into it; if overcooked, it can become too soft as well as lose some of its nutrients. Use oven mitts to remove the hot glass pan from the oven.