Grilled Asparagus with Lemon
Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Jesse Silver
Crisp-tipped, juicy, and tender, these spears are great with lamb or fish. Opt for fat asparagus--the spears will be tender but not mushy when the tips are crisp. Lemon zest, versus juice, gives a lot of flavor without too much acidity or moisture.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Heat a grill to medium-high (about 400°). Shave thick, fibrous asparagus stalks with a vegetable peeler, laying stalks flat against a work surface to keep them from breaking under the pressure. Break off woody lower stems. Toss stalks gently with 1 1/2 tbsp. oil, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper.
Step 2
2
Lay asparagus on cooking grate and grill, covered, in 2 batches if necessary; turn often until lightly browned all over and tips are crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, seasoned to taste with lemon zest, juice, and a little more oil, salt, and pepper.
Ingredients
4 pounds fat asparagus spears
About 1 1/2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
About 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
About 1/2 tsp. pepper
Zest of about 1 1/2 medium lemons
Couple of squeezes lemon juice (about 1 tsp.)
Directions
Step 1
1
Heat a grill to medium-high (about 400°). Shave thick, fibrous asparagus stalks with a vegetable peeler, laying stalks flat against a work surface to keep them from breaking under the pressure. Break off woody lower stems. Toss stalks gently with 1 1/2 tbsp. oil, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper.
Step 2
2
Lay asparagus on cooking grate and grill, covered, in 2 batches if necessary; turn often until lightly browned all over and tips are crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, seasoned to taste with lemon zest, juice, and a little more oil, salt, and pepper.
