Welcome back spring, welcome back agretti! With the arrival of this characteristic and beloved vegetable, also known as monk’s beard, a question arises in many kitchens:
“How do you cook agretti to enhance their unique flavor without complicating your life?”
If you’re looking for that special preparation that makes them the undisputed stars of the table, then you’ve come to the right place.
It happens often, right? You buy them enthusiastically, admire their long, bright green strands, and then find yourself thinking about the best way to showcase them.
Sure, boiled with a drizzle of oil and lemon is a timeless classic, but what if I told you there’s an equally easy and incredibly delicious recipe that can turn them into a dish everyone will ask you for?
Today, I want to share with you not just a simple idea, but THE recipe you’ve been looking for, the one that has become my true go-to when it comes to agretti: my absolute favorite.
Get ready to discover a simple but surprisingly tasty way to cook agretti, making them irresistible and letting you shine with minimal effort.
It’s a promise: after trying it, you’ll never look at monk’s beard the same way again!
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Spring, Summer
- Energy 43.83 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 4.08 (g) of which sugars 3.80 (g)
- Proteins 3.18 (g)
- Fat 0.87 (g) of which saturated 0.08 (g)of which unsaturated 0.43 (g)
- Fibers 3.97 (g)
- Sodium 118.63 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 180 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 2 bunches agretti
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- to taste hot chili pepper
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 pinch sesame seeds (Toasted)
- 1 pinch salt
Tools
Delicious Agretti, necessary tools:
- 1 Pot Crealys
- 1 Bowl Pyrex
Steps
Follow these simple steps to prepare your agretti in oriental sauce and bring a delicious and unforgettable dish to the table!
Thorough Cleaning and Perfect Boiling of Agretti
Cleaning is Essential: Start by cleaning the agretti (monk’s beard). Remove the final part of the roots, which is the hardest and often reddish (about 1 inch).
Next, wash the agretti thoroughly under cold running water, immersing them several times in a large bowl and changing the water until it becomes completely clear and free of soil residues on the bottom.
Quick Boiling:
Bring plenty of water to a boil in a large pot.
If desired, add a tiny pinch of coarse salt (remember that soy sauce is already salty).
Plunge the cleaned agretti and cook them for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender but still slightly crunchy (al dente).
Taste one to verify the ideal cooking.
Prepare the Aromatic Sauce Meanwhile.
While the agretti are cooking, optimize the time by preparing the delicious oriental dressing sauce.
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, finely chopped (or grated) garlic, ground ginger, chili pepper (dosed to your taste), and, if used, a teaspoon of sugar or honey to balance the flavors.
Mix vigorously with a fork or a small whisk until a well-emulsified sauce is obtained.
Taste and, if necessary, slightly adjust the flavors according to your preferences (more soy sauce for saltiness, more vinegar for acidity, etc.).
Cool, Drain, and Squeeze the Agretti
As soon as the agretti are cooked just right, drain them immediately and immerse them in a large bowl with cold water and plenty of ice.
This thermal shock will help maintain their bright green color and pleasantly crunchy texture.
Let them cool for a couple of minutes, then drain them again.
Now the crucial step: squeeze the agretti gently but firmly between your hands to remove as much water as possible.
This is key to preventing the dressing from becoming watered down and ensuring the sauce adheres perfectly.
Place the well-squeezed agretti in a clean, dry bowl.
Dress, Toast the Sesame Seeds, and Garnish with Style
Pour the oriental dressing sauce previously prepared over the ready agretti in the bowl.
Mix gently with kitchen tongs or with your (clean!) hands to distribute the sauce evenly, ensuring each strand of agretti is well-flavored.
In a non-stick pan, slightly toast the sesame seeds over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes, until they become golden and fragrant (be careful not to burn them!).
Generously sprinkle the dressed agretti with the freshly toasted sesame seeds.
This not only adds a delicious flavor and aroma but also a pleasant crunch.
Chef-like Plating and Immediate Tasting!
Now you’re ready for plating! Serve your delicious agretti in oriental sauce immediately, warm or at room temperature.
They are perfect as an exotic side dish for fish, white meat, tofu, or even as a light and enticing appetizer. *
Admire your dish: the bright green of the agretti, the shine of the sauce, and the crunchy touch of the sesame seeds.
All that’s left is to savor this delicacy, the result of your favorite recipe for “how to cook agretti”! Enjoy your meal!
Agretti in Oriental Sauce: Preservation, Tips, Variations, and Useful Notes:
Now that you’ve discovered how to prepare this delicious version of your favorite agretti, here are some more tips for storing them best, personalizing the recipe, and some final tips for always impeccable results. Preservation:
Agretti in oriental sauce keep best in the refrigerator, sealed in an airtight container, for 1-2 days. To enjoy them at the height of their fragrance and crunchiness, it’s best to consume them shortly after preparation. It is not recommended to freeze agretti once dressed, as they might lose consistency.
Smart Tips for Perfect Agretti:
Meticulous cleaning: Pay the right attention to cleaning the agretti to remove any soil traces.
Al dente cooking: Drain them as soon as they are tender but still crunchy; the thermal shock in ice water will preserve color and consistency.
Accurate drying: Squeezing the agretti well is the secret to a dressing that envelops without being watered down.
Personalized sauce: Don’t hesitate to taste and balance the sauce (soy, vinegar, spicy) according to your personal taste before dressing.
Creative Recipe Variations:
A touch of freshness: Try adding freshly grated ginger instead of ground for a more vibrant aroma, or replace rice vinegar with lime juice.
Enhancements: For a more complete dish, you can add blanched edamame, thin julienned carrots, or even some toasted cashews for an extra crunchy note.
Extra proteins: Serve these delicious agretti as a side dish or as a base for dishes with sautéed shrimp, grilled chicken, or crispy tofu.
For coriander lovers: If you like, a sprinkle of fresh chopped coriander added at the end can give an interesting aromatic note.
Little Notes to Remember: Agretti (or monk’s beard) are a spring delight: take advantage of their seasonality to enjoy them fresh.
Agretti in Oriental Sauce: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the best way to clean agretti and remove all the soil?
Thorough cleaning of agretti (or monk’s beard) is essential. Always remove the reddish root part at the base (cutting about 1 inch). Then immerse and rinse them several times in plenty of cold water, gently agitating them, until the water at the bottom of the bowl is completely clear and free of residues.
Can I use fresh ginger instead of powdered ginger in this recipe?
Absolutely yes! If you prefer, you can use about 1 inch of freshly grated ginger root instead of a teaspoon of powdered ginger. It will give an even fresher and more pungent aroma to your agretti sauce.
How do I avoid overcooking agretti and keep them crunchy?
The secret is a short cooking time: boil the agretti for only 5-7 minutes, until they are tender but still have some crunch (al dente). Right after cooking, drain them and immerse them in ice water: this thermal shock will stop the cooking and help maintain a bright green color and the right texture. Also remember to squeeze them well before dressing.
How long do agretti dressed with this oriental sauce last?
Agretti in oriental sauce can be stored in the refrigerator, sealed in an airtight container, for up to 1-2 days. However, to enjoy them at their best, with their typical crunch and the lively flavor of the sauce, it’s advisable to consume them the same day of preparation or at most the day after.
Is this agretti recipe very spicy?
Can I omit the chili pepper? The spiciness of the recipe entirely depends on the amount of chili pepper you decide to use. You can dose it to your liking or omit it completely if you prefer a milder flavor. The delicious agretti recipe will still be delicious and aromatic thanks to other ingredients in the sauce like soy, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
