Time to add some green to the kitchen landscape! I have waited for good-looking fresh asparagus at my market for preparing this dish ever since I saw the recipe on friend, Phyllis Gardner’s, Facebook page. This is a dish that an asparagus lover knows exactly how it will taste just reading the recipe and my “prediction” was spot on today! This asparagus dish is ready in 25 minutes and easily prepared while your main dish finishes. I had one last serving of meat loaf today so a quick-prep-dish like this was perfect, and before I knew it, lunch was ready.
Use the freshest asparagus spears you can lay hands on and don’t be stingy with the garlic for the sautéed garlic gives a real boost of flavor in this dish. I adjusted the recipe today, adding toasted almond slivers as well for a bit of crunch. Don’t over cook the asparagus; 8 minutes was just right for tender, but crisp, spears. Use a large enough skillet so you aren’t crowding the pieces, allowing room for each spear becoming well-coated with the butter-garlic mixture. Turn your heat to low and cover the skillet once the asparagus begins cooking.
Grate the Parmesan from a fresh block for a tangy cheesy bite and serve it all up warm for a quick and healthy side dish. Hello, green! You make me believe that Spring is definitely on her way!
Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
Ingredients
3 T. butter
2 T. minced garlic
1 bunch asparagus
1 t. salt
2-3 T. fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
2 T. slivered toasted almonds, optional
Directions Prep asparagus by breaking off the lower woody part of each spear. Rinse and drain. In a large skillet, heat butter until melted over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add asparagus to the skillet. Using tongs, flip and stir to coat each asparagus spear with butter/garlic. Sprinkle asparagus evenly with salt. Cover and let cook for 8-10 minutes, or until asparagus is tender. Flip and turn asparagus once during cooking time. Add salt as needed, to taste. Serve warm with slivered almonds, if using, and the grated Parmesan for garnish.