LifestyleFood & DrinkRecipesAsparagus is a tasty and versatile vegetable, but it can quickly become bland and tasteless if not cooked properly14:45, 01 Jun 2026Asparagus has a notoriously brief season, and with it drawing to a close shortly, many home cooks will be on the hunt for fresh asparagus recipe ideas. It's a wonderfully tasty vegetable boasting a distinctive earthy flavour with a touch of natural sweetness. Simply boiling it in water is a widely used cooking method, yet it frequently results in limp, bland spears.‌Thankfully, Morrisons has revealed how to liven up this much-loved vegetable and pack it with flavour. The trick is to add just two store cupboard staples after cooking, regardless of which method you choose.‌If you're cooking asparagus in the air fryer, simply coat the spears in olive oil and cook at 200°C for six to eight minutes.‌Once cooked, the supermarket's recipe recommends finishing with a squeeze of lemon juice and a scattering of Parmesan.The recipe notes said: "A little squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top really brightens up the flavour, or if you're feeling a bit cheesy, a sprinkle of Parmesan is always a winner."‌For those opting to pan-fry their asparagus, heat a frying pan over a medium heat with a small knob of butter or a splash of oil.Cook the asparagus for five to seven minutes, turning occasionally until it takes on a light golden colour.The experts said: "If you're feeling fancy, grate over a bit of Parmesan and some lemon zest for a quick cheesy, citrusy kick. Proper delicious."‌For oven cooking, preheat to 200°C, then toss the asparagus spears in olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper.When using the oven cooking approach, you'll want to sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese before cooking for "even more flavour".Arrange the asparagus on a baking tray and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.Article continues belowParmesan and lemon juice can be added after boiling, steaming, or grilling asparagus.Olive oil is also another great option to soften asparagus if you're not a fan of it too crunchy.It can be coated in olive oil or butter before or after cooking.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌FoodRecipes