Springtime evokes visions of fresh Spring veggies and herbs, which no doubt includes asparagus.
There are so many different ways to cook asparagus, including boiling, grilling, stir frying and the like, but roasting them brings out such a marvellous flavor while still maintaining the texture of this prized vegetable.
Lemon simply brings a brighter flavor out of the asparagus and keeps if wonderfully green in color.
Type: Side Dish Recipe
Serve With: Alongside fish, steak, lamb or chicken
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 13-15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Nutritional Information:Asparagus is considered to be both healing and cleansing with diuretic properties. It is low in calories and contains a high content of folate and potassium. It is low in cholesterol and low in sodium. It is chock full of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Slices
Ingredients:
- 2 bunches Asparagus - Washed with ends snapped off.
- 1 clove Garlic - Fresh, finely minced
- 1 Lemon - Finely sliced into cross sections
- 2 pats Butter - About 2 tbsp
- 1 1/2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt - Or to taste
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked Black Pepper - Or to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Wash and snap off ends of asparagus. * Tip: Don't cut ends off of asparagus. It has a natural 'breaking point' where the asparagus stops being 'woody' and turns tender. Simply grab asparagus by root end with one hand and just under the flowers with the other hand and bend the stalk of asparagus until it breaks. This will always ensure you have tender asparagus that will cook evenly. Discard root end piece that snaps off or save in a resealable plastic freezer bag to use to flavor soups or stocks.
- Toss asparagus with olive oil, lemon slices, sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Lay out onto a high rimmed baking pan or cookie sheet and dot with butter.
- Roast in oven for between 13-15 minutes. If you like your asparagus more tender, leave in oven for up to 4-5 minutes longer. Keep your eye on them when trying to achieve softer stalks, so they don't burn.
- Serve alongside chicken, fish, lamb or steak as a delicious side dish. Enjoy!
Consider planting asparagus in your garden. It is a crop that is very easy to grow and that's super hardy, even returning after hard winters, such as those in Canada.
When planting asparagus, sprinkle in your garden area you desire asparagus to grow. They will pop up sporadically. It is suggested that the crop isn't ready for culinary uses until it's third year of growth.
Asparagus will grow tall and create seeds that will drop back into your garden from a large bushy stalk that will resemble a weed. They don't look neat and tidy, so once the seeds have dropped, cut back the stalk and reap the rewards the next Spring. It's an early and beautiful surprise in your garden that will grow all Spring and Summer.
Kimberly Edwards - I was a softball pitcher on scholarship and went to Texas A&M University, McNeese State University and coached pitching at The University ...
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