Spring has officially sprung, and what better way to celebrate than with some delicious and healthy Easter asparagus recipes!
This recipe will show you how to make a simple and flavorful base recipe for roasted asparagus, and provide six different topping ideas to help you customize your asparagus to your liking.
From lemon and parsley to Kalamata olives and roasted red pepper, these toppings are sure to take your asparagus to the next level. So, let's get cooking and embrace the flavors of spring with these tasty asparagus recipes!
Why You'll Love these Easter Asparagus Recipes
- Variety of toppings: These asparagus recipes offer a range of toppings that can appeal to different taste preferences. From savory options like prosciutto and olives to sweeter toppings like cantaloupe, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
- Quick and Easy: These recipes are simple and easy to prepare, making them perfect for busy weeknights or for hosting guests. With just a few ingredients and 20 minutes of baking time, you can have a delicious and nutritious side dish on the table in no time.
- Nutritious: Asparagus is a nutrient-dense vegetable that is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is also low in calories and high in fiber, making it a great addition to any healthy diet. These recipes add flavor and variety to asparagus, while still allowing its nutritional benefits to shine through.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Asparagus: The star of the recipe, the asparagus provides a tender and flavorful base for the toppings. If you don't have asparagus, you could use other vegetables such as green beans, broccolini, or Brussels sprouts.
- Kosher Salt: This enhances the flavor of the asparagus. You could use regular table salt instead of kosher salt. Or get creative and use seasoned salts!
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: This adds a subtle kick of heat to the asparagus. Pre-ground black pepper will work if you don't have whole peppercorns to grind. You can also use white pepper in a pinch
- Garlic Powder: This provides a savory flavor to the asparagus. If you prefer fresh garlic, you could mince 2-3 cloves and toss them with the asparagus instead of using garlic powder.
- Olive Oil: Helps to coat and cook the asparagus evenly. You could use another cooking oil such as vegetable oil or avocado oil if you prefer.
Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet: You will need a baking sheet to roast the asparagus in the oven.
- Parchment paper: To prevent the asparagus from sticking to the baking sheet, you may want to use parchment paper.
- Knife and cutting board: You will need a sharp knife and a cutting board to trim the asparagus and prepare any additional toppings.
- Measuring spoons: You will need measuring spoons to measure out the kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Mixing bowl: You will need a mixing bowl to toss the asparagus with the olive oil and seasonings.
- Serving dish: Once the asparagus is baked, you can transfer it to a serving dish and add your desired toppings.
How to Make Roasted Asparagus
To make the base for these Easter asparagus recipes, start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Next, wash and trim one pound of asparagus spears, removing any tough ends.
Place the asparagus on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with two tablespoons of olive oil. Use your hands or a spatula to toss the asparagus until it is evenly coated in oil. Sprinkle half a tablespoon each of kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder over the asparagus, and toss again to coat evenly.
Roast the asparagus in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until it is tender and lightly browned. Remove the asparagus from the oven and serve it as is, or add your desired toppings.
Variations
Lemon & Parsley Asparagus:
- After baking the asparagus, top with thinly sliced lemon rounds and chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Crumbled Egg & Capers Asparagus:
- Hard boil 1-2 eggs and crumble them into small pieces.
- Top the baked asparagus with the crumbled eggs and a sprinkle of capers.
Cantaloupe & Prosciutto Asparagus:
- Cut ½ cantaloupe into small cubes and thinly slice 2-3 pieces of prosciutto.
- After baking the asparagus, top with the cantaloupe cubes and prosciutto slices.
Kalamata Olives & Roasted Red Pepper Asparagus:
- Dice ½ cup Kalamata olives and ½ cup roasted red pepper into small pieces.
- Top the baked asparagus with the diced olives and red pepper.
Radish & Crumbled Egg Asparagus:
- Thinly slice 4-5 radishes.
- After baking the asparagus, top with the sliced radishes and crumbled hard-boiled egg.
Hearts of Palm & Grape Tomato Asparagus:
- Slice ½ cup of hearts of palm and halve 1 cup of grape tomatoes.
- After baking the asparagus, top with the sliced hearts of palm and halved grape tomatoes.
FAQ's
Can I use other vegetables besides asparagus?
Yes, you can use a variety of vegetables in these recipes. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the vegetable. For example, denser vegetables like carrots or potatoes may need longer cooking times than asparagus.
Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
You can prepare the toppings ahead of time, but it's best to roast the asparagus just before serving to ensure it stays fresh and crisp.
Are these recipes suitable for special diets?
These recipes are gluten-free and can easily be made vegan by omitting the toppings that contain animal products. However, if you have specific dietary restrictions or allergies, you may need to adjust the recipes accordingly.
How long can I store leftovers?
Leftover asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, the toppings may not hold up as well and may need to be stored separately.
Tips
- Use fresh asparagus: Look for bright green asparagus spears that are firm and straight. Avoid asparagus that looks wilted or has a slimy texture.
- Trim the asparagus properly: Use a sharp knife to trim off the tough ends of the asparagus. You can do this by holding each spear of asparagus at both ends and bending it until it snaps at the point where it becomes tender. Alternatively, you can trim about an inch off the ends with a knife.
- Use parchment paper: To prevent the asparagus from sticking to the baking sheet, use parchment paper to line the pan.
- Toss the asparagus well: Be sure to toss the asparagus with the olive oil and seasonings until it is evenly coated. This will ensure that every spear is seasoned and will roast evenly in the oven.
- Don't overcook the asparagus: Roast the asparagus for about 20 minutes or until it is tender but still has some bite. Overcooked asparagus can become mushy and lose its flavor.
- Be creative with the toppings: These recipes offer a variety of topping options, but feel free to get creative and use your favorite ingredients. You can also mix and match toppings to create your own unique flavor combinations.
📋 Recipe
Easter Asparagus Recipes
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Ingredients
- 1 lb Asparagus trimmed
- ½ tablespoon Kosher Salt
- ½ tablespoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- ½ tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Toppings
- slice lemon & parsley
- crumbled hard boiled egg & capers
- diced cantelope & prosciutto
- diced Kalamata olives & diced roasted red pepper
- sliced radish & crumbled hardboiled egg
- sliced hearts of palm & halved grape tomatoes
- Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Serving dish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place cut asparagus on the baking sheet and drizzle olive oil and seasonings on top. Toss well to combine.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven.
- Add desired toppings or enjoy as is!
Notes
- Make sure to properly trim the asparagus before cooking. The woody ends can be tough and difficult to chew, so it's best to cut them off.
- Be sure to evenly coat the asparagus in olive oil and seasonings before roasting. This will ensure that each piece is flavorful and tender.
- Keep an eye on the asparagus as it roasts. Depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears, the cooking time may vary. You want the asparagus to be tender but not overcooked.
- Don't be afraid to get creative with the toppings! While the recipe provides six different options, you can mix and match to your liking or come up with your own unique combinations.
- If you're serving the asparagus with multiple toppings, you may want to set them up buffet-style so that guests can choose their own toppings. This is a fun and interactive way to enjoy the dish.
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