8-2-Eat: 8 Things to Do with Asparagus

It's 8-2-Eat, my new food-focused list series. A perfect Friday distraction. For the first edition, I take on a favorite spring vegetable--asparagus--and suggest 8 great ways to serve it.

1. Broil it. This is what I usually do with asparagus because it goes great with salmon and is so easy, such as in Salmon and Asparagus with Tarragon-Lemon Yogurt Sauce.

2. Make it into soup. Asparagus and sweet potatoes make great partners in the springtime pureed soup, Asparagus and Sweet Potato Soup.

Crispy breaded asparagus

3. Make it Crispy. A quick egg dip and panko coating turns typical broiled asparagus into a crispy delight in Crispy Breaded Asparagus.

4. Shave it. Use a vegetable peeler to shave thin strips of raw asparagus into Spring Shaved Asparagus Salad.

5. Make it into Pesto. Pesto isn't just for herbs; it can accommodate this spring vegetable too in Pasta Primavera with Asparagus Pesto.

6. Serve it with Quinoa. Quinoa is still the seed du jour, but a flavorful partner like asparagus gives it a needed lift in Quinoa with Chicken, Asparagus, Lemon, Yogurt and Hazelnut-Mint Pesto.

7. Serve it in Risotto. It's the perfect time of year to make a springtime risotto, such as Cauliflower, Asparagus and Mushroom Risotto.

8. Serve it for Breakfast. With bacon, toast and hard-cooked eggs, make asparagus something served not just at dinner in Asparagus with Mustard Dressing, Bacon and Eggs.