Wash and trim the asparagus, breaking off tough stem ends at the point where they bend easily.

Pull off leaves from cauliflower, and trim tough stem end away.

His fingers circled the tough stem and Bolan pulled himself along.

He tugged, and in a moment the tough stem let go.

Wash and trim asparagus by breaking at the point where the tough stem meets the tender upper part.

The tough dark-coloured stem can be 15 cm tall but is only up to 3 mm in diameter.

Presenting it with its tough stem intact added nothing to its appeal.

Rather than making a flamboyant statement, it was cut in strips and included the tough stem.

Break asparagus at the point where tough stem meets the tender part.

Breath rasping in his dried throat, he sawed at the tough stem, finally cutting it through.