I love going through the weekly circulars at Associated Supermarket and seeing what fresh produce is on sale every Friday. I found asparagus for $1.99/lb last week, and I decided to experiment! All I knew about the vegetable was that it made your pee smell (random fact) and my parents occasionally stir-fried it at home. This was my first time working with this vegetable, and I decided to roast instead of boiling, adding some shredded parmesan cheese and freshly minced garlic.
Ingredients:
1 lb asparagus spears
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
sea salt
black pepper
shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions:
1) Preheat the oven to 425°F. Wash the asparagus and cut off the tough ends.
2) Lay the asparagus spears out in a single layer in a baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over the spears and roll the asparagus back and forth until they are all covered with a thin layer of olive oil.
3) Sprinkle with minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Rub over the asparagus until they are evenly distributed.
4) Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
5) Place dish in oven and cook for approximately 10 minutes, until lightly browned and tender. Enjoy!
Serves four.
The garlic gave the dish such an aromatic smell, and the asparagus came out of the oven nice, tender, and DELICIOUS. A nice, simple side dish that involves little preparation. I will definitely be making this again in the future.
I've been told that a certain smile breaks across my face whenever the subject of food is brought up, a smile that radiates the purest forms of delight and happiness. Food transcends beyond the smell and taste of what's presented in front of me; it's an experience to be enjoyed, indulged, shared with those I love. Working and living in NYC continually opens culinary doors, from hole-in-the-walls to upscale (even stuffy) dining. I never take any morsel of food for granted, and I'm often THAT girl at the table found licking her plate at the end of the meal.
