Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus
(File Photo)

Fresh Asparagus is a veggie that I have enjoyed for so many years. A great way to prep it is to roast it! Roasting Asparagus is easy and it is also delicious! So delicious! After prepping the stalks, the cleaned cut stalks are combined with olive oil and herbs. Then, they are placed on a cookie sheet and roasted in a preheated 425° F oven. 12- 13 Minutes later it is done. It is that easy! Tonight we enjoyed it again. 

**I line my cookie sheet with foil first.

Ready to place in my oven!
(File Photo)

For my complete instructions, click here.  

Enjoy!

 

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus
(File Photo)

Today, fresh asparagus was purchased in our grocery store to enjoy as a veggie at dinner tonight.  O.K., to be honest enough asparagus was purchased so we could enjoy it again tomorrow night.  It is a great treat to have at dinner.  It's also very easy to prepare.  After cutting off the tough ends from the bottoms of the stalks (about 1"- 1 and 1/2") , the veggie is rinsed in cool water.  Then, the pieces are coated with Olive Oil and herbs and placed on a large cookie sheet to be roasted in the oven.  Now, that is really easy!

Asparagus ready to be roasted!
(File Photo)

When I was growing up Asparagus was a veggie that my family always enjoyed in the Spring.  My mom would boil it, but I prefer to roast it.  I really like the flavor when it is roasted!    

Click here for my complete instructions on preparing Roasted Asparagus.  So delicious!  It is a great veggie to add to your dinner table.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

      

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus
(File Photo)

Roasted Asparagus is delicious! Growing up my family always (and I do mean always) enjoyed Asparagus at dinnertime in the Spring.  It only made an appearance on our dinner table when the fresh local veggie was available at the road side stands in nearby Hadley, MA. My mom always boiled/ drained the cut strips and we would drizzle melted butter over them.  As much as I always liked that method of preparing Asparagus, that is now a Memory!

Now, after preparing the stalks I roast them in a 425°F oven for 12- 13 Minutes.  Oh yes, Olive Oil, dried Basil and dried Oregano and maybe powdered Garlic are in the mix, too before the cookie sheet containing the Asparagus is placed in the oven.  What a great method of preparing this green vegetable!

Ready to be placed in my oven!
(File Photo)

 
For the complete recipe that I have posted in the past click here for Roasted Asparagus!    

It is so delicious!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

~Roasted Asparagus~

Roasted and ready to enjoy!

Roasting is definitely my favorite way to prepare Asparagus!  I've enjoyed this veggie for literally decades.  Growing up next door to the town of Hadley in MA, Asparagus was always served at least 3 times a week in the Spring while the local Hadley crop was sold at the road side stands.

As time has moved on, I no longer boil the fresh stalks and serve with drizzled butter.  That was how it was prepared before being placed on the dinner table- so many years ago.  My "go to" method these days is roasting it.  My Spice Rack comes in handy here!

The stalks are cut in half and combined with Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Basil and Oregano before placing them on a cookie sheet.  Roast 12- 13 minutes in a 425°F oven.  It's that quick!  It's so yummy!

Ready for my oven!

Roasted Asparagus
Oven Temperature:  425°F            Time:  12- 13 Minutes


Ingredients:
1 Bunch- about 1 Lb. fresh Asparagus
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil for baking & sauteing
2- 3 Shakes each of Garlic Powder, Basil and Oregano (dried)
 
Method:

1. Cut off tough ends (about 1 and 1/2") and toss from bottom end of Asparagus stalks.
2. Cut each stalk in half.
3. Double rinse in cold water and drain.
4. Toss Asparagus with Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Basil and Oregano.
5. Place each piece on foil lined cookie pan in a single layer.
6. Roast in a preheated 425°F oven for 12- 13 Minutes. 

An easy tasty veggie that is quick to prepare for dinner!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

~Flatbread Pizza~

BBQ Pork Tenderloin Flatbreads
with Roasted Asparagus

Spring!  Asparagus! Flatbread Pizza!  Oh yes!  What a great combination!

A couple of months ago my DH & I were looking at the menu in a New Jersey hotel dining room- famished.  I wanted to order something I'd never tasted.  That's something I always enjoy doing.  When I return home I like to prepare a new dish that's so tasty.  There on the menu was "Flatbread Pizza".  The description of the ingredients sounded so appetizing & I was so hungry!  Oh, it was so good!     

Three weeks ago, a grocery store in my area started carrying packaged flatbread for pizza.  O.K., that got my attention!  Now, I've prepared Flatbread Pizza twice in the past 3 weeks.  Forget Friday night pizza!

These are great!  They are so easy to prepare!  The Directions are on the package.  With the Flatbreads I use, they are placed on a baking sheet & baked for 2 minutes in a 375°F oven.  Add toppings & then return to the oven & bake again for 5 Minutes in a 375°F oven. 

It's Asparagus time, so roasting Asparagus that's coated with Olive Oil for baking & sauteing & also Parmesan cheese is a great veggie when making these.  We like White Pizza, so a coating of Ricotta Cheese is a great base.    

With the first Flatbreads, BBQed Pork Tenderloin chunks, Roasted Asparagus & fresh Spinach were placed on a coating of Ricotta Cheese.  Top with shredded Mozzarella/ Cheddar! 

We enjoyed the taste of  Veggie Dream Flatbreads the second time.  Roasted Asparagus & Roasted Summer Squash along with fresh Spinach were placed on the Ricotta.

Veggie Dream Flatbread

Useful Hints:

• Before adding toppings, I spread a little Olive Oil for baking & sauteing on each baked Flatbread.  Then, add & spread Ricotta Cheese on top. 

• For both varieties make a drizzle of 1 teaspoon Water with 4 teaspoons of BBQ Sauce.  Combine & then drizzle over the top of each Flatbread just before sprinkling on the shredded Cheddar/ Mozzarella Cheese.  Bake.  This gives it a great tang!

Does your family enjoy these, too?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Beefy Asparagus

Beefy Asparagus

There was a definite chill in the air yesterday.  Opening the fridge door before dinner suddenly I saw a container of cooked rice & asparagus.  Now, these could very easily be labelled leftovers from tasty dinners earlier in the week.  To me, they were the beginning of preparing last night's dinner. 

Asparagus is a treat at this time of year & we always enjoy it when it is available.  Rice is plain delicious!  Add in Plum Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, browned ground beef & suddenly I was heading to my Spice Rack.  While preparing this colorful dish, it smelled so good!  The grains of Rice became nestled between pieces of Asparagus & Tomatoes.  Before I knew it dinner was ready.  Beefy Asparagus tasted so good!

Beefy Asparagus

Ingredients:

3/4 lb. Ground Beef or Ground Turkey - browned
about 1 and 3/4 cups cooked Rice
6- 7 cooked Asparagus stalks, cut into pieces
(1) can (15- 20 ounces) Plum Tomatoes, drained- cut into quarters.
(1) can (15 ounces) Tomato Sauce
1/4 teaspoon Oregano
1/4 teaspoon Basil
1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Method:

1. Brown Ground Beef or Ground Turkey.  Drain.
2. In Dutch Oven or large pot combine all ingredients.
3. Heat about 25- 30 minutes, stirring often.
4. Enjoy!

Serve with Feta Cheese sprinkled on top!

What looked like leftovers in my fridge suddenly became a delicious dinner- served along with a fruit salad!  Try it, you'll like it- if you like Asparagus!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

~Asparagus~

Cut & cleaned!

A definite treat in the spring...fresh Asparagus!  Every year during the short season that it is available (and for a reasonable price /pound) we enjoy this veggie at dinner.  Quite often I've viewed photos of roasted asparagus. For me, the tried and true method of preparing this yummy veggie is placing the cut cleaned stalks in about 1 and 1/2" of boiling water in my 1 and 3/4 quart Blue Cornflower Corning Ware container on my stove. Using a square container works so well.   After the stalks are tender and removed from the boiling water, place on a serving dish.  A small amount of butter/margarine is placed on the top to melt. Yum!  It tastes great with any main dish! 

I am not convinced that my sons have developed a taste for this delicious spring treat, yet.  It never comes up in conversation.  When they are "back home" I haven't surprised them with a test of their current culinary tastes with this particular veggie.  However, I do know that fresh Spinach in a salad has now made their yummy healthy list! 

Asparagus is definitely a wonderful vegetable to enjoy when in season!  

Asparagus

1. Cut about 1 and 1/2" off end of stalks (discolored part) and toss. 
2. Cut each stalk in half.
3. Double rinse in cold water.
4. Separate into two groups - tips and without tips. 
5. Add only ends without tips to boiling water in container.
6. Cook 6 minutes at a medium boil.
7. Add tip ends to boiling water.
8. Continue cooking Asparagus for 5 minutes at medium boil.
9. Using a large fork remove Asparagus from water and place on serving dish.
10. Place small amount of butter/margarine on top of hot veggie.

*If the purchased bunch of Asparagus will not be prepared the same day, I wrap the bottom cut ends in a wet/squeezed out paper towel that been folded into thirds.  Return the stalks to the plastic bag and refrigerate.  It keeps the vegetable fresh until preparing the next day.  I also only purchase stalks that have been sitting in a small amount of water in a tray.

Enjoy!
Yummy!