Asparagus Fry

Using Asparagus, I tried few food items like MorKootu, Mor Kuzhambu, Milagu Kootu before and enjoyed the taste of every item. This time I wanted to make a fry. It came out well like a Bindi / Vendaikai fry...Just added few red onions to asparagus just to coat some indian taste. It goes very well with plain rasam rice / charu. As asparagus is one of the healthiest food item in Top 10 list, its recommended to eat this tasty vegetable at least once a week. To kids, its the most healthiest choice as it increases the immune system.

Ingredients

Tender Asparagus Stems - 1 Big Bunch

Red Onion - 1/2 finely shredded

Oil - 3 to 4 tsp

Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp

Cumin  Seeds -  1 tsp

Urad Dal / Ulutham Paruppu / Minna pappu - 2 tsp

Curry Leaves - 6 or 7

Dry Red Chillies - 3

Hing / Asafoetida - 1 Dash

Salt - To Taste

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Red Chilli powder - 1 tsp ( Optional )

Method

• Wash the Asparagus and chop into small pieces and keep them aside. Cut the red onions into small pieces and keep it ready.
• In the frying pan, add oil first. When it gets heated, add Hing, Mustard Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Urad Dal, Channa Dal, Curry leaves, dry red chillies first. When they sputter, add the red onion pieces and fry them with a pinch of salt for 2-3 minutes till they turn golden brown slightly. Add turmeric powder now and mix them well.
• Finally add the asparagus cuts and cover them with a lid. Let them cook with the steam inside for few minutes, say 4-5 minutes.
• When its cooked, add required amount of salt and a tsp of red chilli powder and fry them well for another 3-4 minutes on a low flame.
• Serve this healthy fry with any hot rice combinations.

Variations / Tips

Do not add water while cooking the asparagus. Allow them to cook with the steam inside.

Instead of red chilli powder, you can sprinkle some black pepper powder too.