Blanching asparagus spears is a cooking technique that involves briefly boiling the asparagus and then immediately transferring it to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. This method helps to preserve the vibrant green color and crisp texture of the asparagus while partially cooking it. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to blanch asparagus spears: Prepare the asparagus: Start by trimming the woody ends of the asparagus spears. The woody part is usually the bottom 1-2 inches of the spear, which can be tough and fibrous. You can either snap off the ends by bending the asparagus spear until it naturally breaks, or you can use a knife to cut off the woody portion. Boil water: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. You'll need enough water to fully submerge the asparagus spears. Prepare an ice bath: While the water is boiling, prepare a large bowl or basin filled with ice water. This will be used to rapidly cool down the asparagus and stop the cooking process. Blanch the asparagus: Once the water is boiling, carefully add the trimmed asparagus spears to the pot. Let them cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until they turn bright green and become slightly tender. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears, so you can test the doneness by gently piercing the thickest part of a spear with a fork. It should offer some resistance but not be overly soft. Transfer to an ice bath: Using tongs or a slotted spoon, quickly remove the blanched asparagus from the boiling water and immediately transfer them to the prepared ice bath. Submerge the asparagus completely in the ice water for about 1-2 minutes. This will halt the cooking process and help the asparagus retain its vibrant color and crisp texture. Drain and dry: Once the asparagus has cooled in the ice bath, remove them from the water and pat them dry gently with a kitchen towel or paper towel. You can also lay them on a clean kitchen towel or a wire rack to air dry for a few minutes. The blanched asparagus spears are now ready to be used in your salad. You can use this method to prepare asparagus for stir-fries, pasta dishes, or any other recipe that calls for cooked asparagus. Blanched asparagus can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days.