Roasted Asparagus!

YUM!!!!!

Happy Saturday Peeps!!

Today I want to talk about one of my favorite veggies of all time, ASPARAGUS! It is absolutely delicious and extremely healthy for you. It is filled with tons of vitamins and minerals most importantly it contains something called "glutathione that helps break down carcinogens and other harmful compounds like free radicals which can help prevent certain cancers(1)"! Growing up my parents were steamers. That is their preferred way to cook veggies. I however do not like mine as mushy and prefer a more al dente texture! So I pretty much grill or roast ALL of my veggies! It adds so much more flavor and is way healthier because you don't have to dip your broccoli, asparagus  ect. in mayo or butter! I promise this recipe will NOT disappoint and not to mention its so simple and easy to do. I even got Joe eating some veggies and LIKING them that he never would even try before! xxxCourt

P.S. Most people do not store their asparagus correctly, look out below for tips on how to make it last as long as possible in your fridge!

Serves 3 (10 Spears of asparagus per serving) - 68 Calories & 2 WW PointsPlus

Ingredients:

• 30 Spears of asparagus

  

  Step 2 & also how you should store your asparagus!

• 1/2 tbsp EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
• 1/4 tsp Seasoning salt
• 1/8 tsp Black pepper
• OPTIONAL: 1 Clove of pressed garlic (or finely chopped)

Steps:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees (or grill if you are cooking outdoors!)
2. Prep all of your asparagus by snapping them in half (see picture demonstration by the lovely Joseph David)                             *They will snap where they are meant to be snapped and if you are in a rush and have a bunch of asparagus then snap one from each bunch and chop the rest where the one snapped. **To store your asparagus chop off about 1/2 inch of bottom when you get home from the store and place in a cup of water (like flowers) they will even grow a little. Make sure you check the water if they are going to be in there long and refill if necessary! 
3. Place all asparagus on a cookie sheet tray lined with tin foil for an easy clean up! 
4. Drizzle EVOO on top and toss using your fingers to evenly coat all of the asparagus.

   

   Step 6: I should of used foil, oops!

5. Sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic clove on top of the asparagus and toss again with hands to even coat all of the veggies.
6. Make sure all of asparagus are laying flat on the sheet tray (not too over crowded) and place in the oven or on the grill.
7. Cook 15-20 minutes or until desired char color has been achieved (15 minutes makes for more firm asparagus and 20 is a little more cooked).
8. Plate up right away and serve alone or with a wedge or two of fresh lemon!
9. ENJOY!

You can pretty much swap out asparagus with lots of different veggies for this recipe. I have done corn, broccoli, cauliflower, ect. GET CREATIVE! Make veggies more fun and tasty because they should be in almost every meal that you eat!  

Happy Creating!

***Site Sources: (1) - http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/health_blog/5_powerful_health_benefits_of_asparagus_you_probably_didn_t_know