Have a large bowl filled with ice and water at the ready. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add washed and trimmed vegetables to the boiling water. Cook the vegetables for 1 to 5 minutes.  They are done as soon as the colour of the vegetable turns bright and vibrant. As soon as the vegetables are done, drain and plunge them into the bowl of ice and water.  Leave them in the bowl until cold.   Drain vegetables in a colander and then dry with paper towel.   Green beans will take 2-3 minutes, Asparagus 2-4 depending on how thick the spears are.