One of my favourite veggies and so versatile. It's adaptable to accompany many cooking styles and very delicious with a variety of herbal allies. Asparagus with a Twist is easy to prepare and delicious!
It's easy to steam asparagus but my favourite way to prepare it ? Gently roasted in the oven. It's delicious with a pinch of sea salt & pepper or with a light dusting of shaved parmesan cheese or with a delicate sauce made from sage leaves and unsalted butter or olive oil. Weather dependent, I love to BBQ asparagus. What's your "go to" ASPARAGUS preparation?
Try it paired with the 'parsley' cousins "Curly" & "Italian" in this unusual pesto for a healthy veggie side dish or main.
Asparagus with a Twist
Delicious Spring Veggie dish with a delicious twist!
Ingredients
- 24 asparagus spears blanched or steamed until just cooked
- Black pepper Pesto recipe to follow
- Optional: Parmesan cheese grated
- Black Pepper Pesto
- 1 large clove garlic or more if you LOVE garlic!
- ½ cup toasted pine nuts or your favourite nut
- ½ cup washed Italian parsley leaves
- ½ cup washed curly parsley leaves
- 1 ½ teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
- ¾ cup virgin olive oil
Instructions
Make a Vinaigrette with the following
-
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
-
¼ cup red wine vinegar
-
¼ cup black pepper pesto (see #1)
-
1. Put all of the pesto ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor and pulse a few times. Now, with the machine running, slowly pour in the oil. The pesto should be slightly coarse. Adjust seasonings to taste.
-
2. Mix all the vinaigrette ingredients together and chill, covered.
-
3. Arrange 6 spears of asparagus on each of 4 plates.
-
4. Whisk the pesto-infused vinaigrette and spoon a small amount over the asparagus.
-
Sprinkle with shaved or grated Parmesan cheese --if using
Recipe Notes
Serves 4 - 6
Adapted from: Norman Van Aken’s Feast of Sunlight, by Norman Van Aken (Harvard Common Press, 1997)
Sometimes, I serve "Asparagus with a Twist" hot with only the pesto drizzled over the asparagus. You can ditch the Parm and it's still so good! It's also delicious served at room temperature ~ as noted above. Friends + family love this dish!
What to do with the remaining pesto? No problem!
This peppery, fresh parsley taste is a perfect accompaniment to spelt or rice pasta with 'primavera' veggies or basmati rice for another treat this week.
HEALTH BENEFITS of ASPARAGUS
- rich in minerals
- excellent source of folate
- contains 'inulin' which supports healthy gut flora in the large intestine. (good bacteria such as "lactobacilli" feed on it which helps to increase ratio of good bacteria to harmful bacteria.
- contains phytochemicals which produce ant-inflammatory effects
- rich in fibre which supports bowel function
- good anti-oxidant -- helps prevention of cancer, cataracts, eye problems
- excellent for diabetics as it helps with blood sugar balance
- detoxifying properties
According to the National Cancer Institute, in the USA, asparagus is the food highest in glutathione, an important anti-oxdidant & anti-carcinogen. It is also rich in two cancer-blocking vitamins (A and C) as well as the mineral selenium. These three nutrients have been singled out in several important studies as fearsome cancer fighters.
A 5 ounce serving (only 20 calories!) provides 60 percent of the recommended daily allowance for folacin which is necessary for blood cell formation, growth, and prevention of liver disease. Asparagus is also an excellent source of potassium, fiber, thiamin, vitamin B6, and is one of the richest sources of rutin, a compound which strengthens capillary walls.
Mimi
I love asparagus - it is incredible how many delicious ways there are to make it. Can't wait to try yours!
Carol Little
Hope you enjoy it!!
STACEY CRAWFORD
YUM, this looks so tempting. I love the pinenuts and the dressing!
Carol Little
It is delicious!
Meredith
I love asparagus but have never made it with a peppercorn pesto. I cant' wait to try your recipe!
Carol Little
Hope you enjoy it!!
chihyu
I love all the delicious flavor from this dish and it's healthy low carb, too!
Jennifer
Mmmmm, I like the sound of this petso you made to season it with. So yumm!
Carol Little
gotta love pesto of any kind!!
Kelly
Oooo that pesto looks amazing. Love the idea of putting it on asparagus. A must try!
Carol Little
I hope you enjoy it!!
Hope
I love asparagus any which way, this looks like such a tasty way to enjoy it. Love the idea of having pinenuts with it - yum!
Carol Little
Decadent? You bet!!
paleoglutenfreeguy
I love any kind of pesto but never thought to make it spicy with black pepper. I'll put this on everything!
Carol Little
Me too. I hope you love it as much as I do~~
Renee D Kohley
So so pretty! Michigan asparagus just showed up at the markets last weekend! I love your "twist" to dress these up! I'll try it this weekend!
Carol Little
Renee-- I hope you enjoy -- that black pepper pesto is fabulous! Just adds a little something new..
Lisa
This sounds delicious! I bet even my kids would eat this!
Shelle @ RockinWHome
Black pepper pesto is a new one! I can't wait to try it.
Carol Little
Thanks. I hope you enjoy. I am a pesto party animal!
Megan Stevens
Wow, the black pepper emphasis is surprising and sounds great! I love it with asparagus, and we eat it several times a week. What a fun variation, thank you!
Carol Little
You are so welcome, Megan. Hope you try it.
Joni Gomes
Yum! I love asparagus and this Black Pepper Pesto sounds like a great pairing!
Carol Little
It IS good.. Hope you try it!
Jean
Such a unique and delicious combination of spices! Can't wait to try this.
Tessa Simpson
pesto is an amazing way to jazz up asparagus..I have to try this!
Carol Little
Jazz up -- Love it!
The Food Hunter
asparagus is my absolute favorite vegetable.
Melissa @Real Nutritious Living
LOVE the addition of all the herbs. It just makes a healthy dish that much healthier!
Shelby @Fitasamamabear
I LOVE asparagus and pine nuts would make this so tasty. Or walnuts... mm or any nut :D
Raia
Oh yum! I love asparagus and I bet it's delicious with parmesan on top!
linda spiker
Asparagus is such a great side dish. I love your black pepper pesto!
Carol Little
It IS soooo good!!