For many years, I struggled to find the perfect asparagus. Crunchy yet cooked stalks that were not covered in butter, yet still immensely flavorful. After unsuccessfully steaming, poaching and pan-frying, I turned to the oven for a solution.

While this recipe is simple and quick (making it the last thing you should prepare before serving a meal), it is the means of making a perfect side dish, and should be part of a chef’s repertoire.

perfect asparagus

cooked asparagus
Yield: 2 servings

Perfect Asparagus Recipe

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 11 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch asparagus, washed
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 lemon, quartered

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit. Break off the bottoms of the asparagus. Toss with the olive oil, garlic, shallot, salt and ground black pepper.
  2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the asparagus one spear deep.
  3. Insert the sheet into the oven and bake for 6 to 9 minutes, until it has reached the desired tenderness – leave it in longer if wanting it softer. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.

Nutrition Information

Yield

2

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 86Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 71mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 2gSugar 2gProtein 1g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Related:
Red Pepper Tofu and Chickpea Spread Recipe
Based in Kingston, Canada, Samantha Lowe has been writing for publication since 2006. She records her culinary and globe-trotting experiences online at www.samanthalowe.com/blog. A love of photography and cooking fuels this writing, with the end result usually enticing friends and acquaintances to 'loosen their belts'.

What do you think? Leave a comment!