Tuscan Asparagus

This is the asparagus recipe I made for the pasta party.  I actually remade it last night since I didn’t get a picture at the party and it is so good that I had to post it.  I made 1/2 of the recipe in this picture.  For the party, I used 2 big bunches of asparagus.  I don’t think there was any left at the end of the night.

This recipe would be great for Easter or any holiday.

Tuscan Asparagus

1 1/2 lbs fresh asparagus, trimmed
1 1/2 cups grape or small cherry tomatoes, cut in half
3 tbsps pine nuts ~ I left off
3 tbsps olive oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp grated lemon peel

Preheat oven to 400º.

Line a 15×10 baking sheet with foil. Place the asparagus and tomato halves and pine nuts on the foil-lined baking sheet.

Mix 2 tbsps olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and pour over asparagus and carefully mix to coat all the vegetables.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Drizzle with remaining tbsp of olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle Parmesan and lemon peel over the top. Carefully toss to combine.

Makes 8 servings.

This recipe is part of Pasta Bar Birthday Party.

Source:  Tuscan Asparagus

Happy Cooking!

Roast Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter

This recipe is delicious and would be perfect for the upcoming holidays.  It’s one of those recipes that needs to be made at the last minute but it’s super easy so it goes together quickly.  This is a Cooking Light recipe that I changed a little bit.

Roast Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter

1 bunch asparagus
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 tbsps butter
2 tsps soy sauce
1 tsp balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 400º.

Coat a small baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange the cleaned asparagus on it. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the asparagus and bake for 12 minutes or until tender. The asparagus I used was super thin so it only took 12 minutes but if it’s thicker, you might need a longer time in the oven.

In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat and let it cook for about 3 minutes or until it browns, shaking the pan occasionally ~ be careful not to let it burn. If it burns, start over. Remove the pan from the heat and add the soy sauce and vinegar, stirring until combined.

Pour the sauce over the asparagus on the baking sheet and toss to combine. Plate the asparagus and pour any sauce on the pan over the top.

Serve immediately ~ this will not keep.

Makes 4 servings.

Happy Cooking!