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Are you looking for a simple side dish that delivers flavor? Look no further than this Oven Roasted Asparagus recipe.
Discover the joys of roasted asparagus! This cooking method transforms the humble vegetable into a dish with irresistibly firm stalks and delightfully crispy tips. No more soggy asparagus – welcome to a recipe that makes this veggie shine as a star side dish.
Why This Recipe Works
- Garlic Toasted to Perfection: A hint of roasted garlic pairs marvelously with the asparagus, adding depth to its fresh, zesty flavor.
- High-Temperature Roasting: Say goodbye to bitterness! Roasting at high temperatures creates a natural sweetness and crisp texture in the asparagus.
- Texture Contrast: The pleasing crunch of the outer layer complements the tender interior, creating a delightful eating experience.
- Lemon Zest Finish: A dash of lemon zest brings a refreshing twist that perfectly balances the flavors.
Asparagus: A Nutritional Powerhouse
Rich in essential nutrients like folic acid, fiber, vitamins A, B6, and C, asparagus is tasty and incredibly beneficial for your health.
Selecting the Best Asparagus
Whether you’re buying it in season or not, here’s what to look for when buying fresh asparagus.
- Firm, Perfect Buds: The tips are the flavor focal point, so ensure they are compact and vividly green.
- Plump, Juicy Stalks: Seek out stalks that ooze freshness when gently pressed.
- Vibrant Colors: Whether green, purple, or white, vibrant colors indicate freshness.
- Uniformity for Even Cooking: Similar sizes in stalks ensure they cook uniformly.
Storing Fresh Asparagus
Store asparagus stalks in the fridge to keep them fresh, either in water like a bouquet of flowers or wrapping them with a damp paper towel to keep them fresh.
- In Water: Trim the ends and stand them in a water-filled jar or glass.
- Wrapped: Alternatively, wrap the ends in damp paper towels and refrigerate in an unsealed bag.
Preparing Asparagus For Roasting
Bigger spears can be tough and woody. Here are three ways to remove the unpleasant ends:
- Natural Snap Method: Bend near the base and let it snap naturally.
- Peeling for Tenderness: Use a peeler for larger spears to reveal the lighter, tender part.
- Strategic Cutting: Trim the ends gradually until there’s no resistance when cutting.
Serving Suggestions
Enhance your dining experience with these versatile and imaginative ways to enjoy oven-roasted asparagus. These ideas will turn asparagus into the highlight of any culinary creation, from enriching your favorite dishes to creating stand-alone meals.
- Toss them into other roasted vegetables, such as broccoli or Brussels sprouts.
- Bake them into a frittata.
- Mix them into fettuccine alfredo or mac and cheese.
- Serve them over a Saffron Risotto.
- Serve alongside baked chicken thighs or garlic butter cod.
- Allow them to cool, and add them to a salad.
Erren’s Top Tips & Variations
- Dry your Asparagus well after washing. The drier they are, the crispier they’ll be.
- Be sure to taste and season well before serving.
- Don’t skimp on the oil (even if it seems like a lot), season well, and make sure your oven is hot before adding the Asparagus.
- For crisper results, Try flipping it halfway through the roasting if you want a crisper result. It’s a time-consuming task, but it crisps on all sides.
- Short on time? Make this dish even quicker by skipping the fresh garlic and replacing it with garlic powder, or you can do it simply with just olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Be sure to use a big enough pan. Overcrowding the pan will cause steaming instead of roasting.
- Experiment with herbs, citrus zest, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for different takes on this classic dish.
- Savory Additions: Wrap in prosciutto or top with toasted almonds to elevate this simple vegetable to gourmet levels.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage: Roasted asparagus is best served fresh out of the oven, but it will keep at room temperature for up to an hour or three days in the refrigerator (gently reheat before serving).
Freezing: You can freeze roasted asparagus, but be aware that the texture may change upon thawing. If you have extras and want to freeze them to avoid waste, follow these steps:
Allow to cool completely at room temperature and freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When ready to use, thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.
Recipe
Oven Roasted Asparagus
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh asparagus (trimmed)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- The zest of ½ medium lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF/200ºC and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil for easy cleanup.
- Place the trimmed asparagus in a bowl and drizzle with the olive oil; add the sliced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat and arrange the spears in a single layer on the prepared pan.
- Bake just until the base of the asparagus is fork-tender. Very thin asparagus, as I used, will take as little as 10 minutes, whereas thicker asparagus will need up to 20 minutes.
- Transfer the roasted asparagus to a serving platter and drizzle with the lemon juice and zest.
- Roasted asparagus is best served fresh out of the oven, but it will keep at room temperature for up to an hour or three days in the refrigerator (just gently reheat before serving).
Tips
- Dry your Asparagus well after washing. The drier they are, the crispier they’ll be.
- Be sure to taste and season well before serving.
- Don’t skimp on the oil (even if it seems like a lot), season well, and make sure your oven is hot before adding the Asparagus.
- For crispy results: If you want a crisper result, try flipping it halfway through the roasting. It’s a time-consuming task, but it crisps on all sides.
- Short on time? Make this dish even quicker by skipping the fresh garlic and replace it with garlic powder, or you can do it simply with just olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Be sure to use a big enough pan. Overcrowding the pan will cause steaming instead of roasting.
Save to favoritesYour saved recipes will be right here waiting for you every time you visit, so you can easily find and make the meals you love.Step By Step Instructions
To begin, preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Consider lining a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil for easier cleanup.
Take the 2 pounds (about 907 grams) of fresh asparagus and trim off the tough, woody ends. You can do this by gently bending each spear – it will naturally snap at the right point.
Place the trimmed asparagus into a bowl with 4 cloves of garlic that are sliced to your liking. For crisp garlic, slice it thin or you can slice it thicker for a milder flavor.
I use this garlic slicer for thinly sliced garlic.
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Then drizzle 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil over them.
Gently toss the asparagus to ensure that the olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper coat each spear evenly. This step ensures that each spear is infused with flavor. Arrange the asparagus spears in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and allow the asparagus to roast. The roasting time varies depending on the thickness of your asparagus. If your asparagus is very thin, it may take as little as 10 minutes for them to become fork-tender. However, thicker asparagus may require up to 20 minutes. Keep a watchful eye to prevent overcooking.
Once your asparagus is perfectly roasted and tender, carefully transfer them to a serving platter. To give this dish a delightful zing, drizzle 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of lemon juice over the roasted asparagus. For an extra burst of citrus flavor, zest half of a medium lemon and sprinkle it on top.
Serve and enjoy!
FAQs
Can you eat the entire asparagus?
Yes, although trimming the woody end is recommended.
Can you freeze roasted asparagus?
While it is possible to freeze roasted asparagus, it’s important to note that the texture may change when thawed, and it might not be as crisp as when freshly roasted.
What does it mean to trim asparagus?
Trimming refers to removing the woody, tough end of the stem.
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