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Asparagus

11/21/12 | asparagus, Delicious Eats, wine


I am a big fan of this delicious vegetable.  For some reason growing up we always had broccoli and peas with dinner but now that I prepare my own meals there is a good chance you will find asparagus on the plate.  While dealing with the after effects of Hurricane Sandy a week after the storm we had no power but we did have gas and I turned the food I did have into a simple but delicious meal; whole wheat sharp cheddar grilled cheese with steamed asparagus and a glass of white wine.  

I know asparagus is not for everyone but for those of us who do like it there are SO many ways that you can go about cooking it.  After many adventures in the produce department I have come to the conclusion that I prefer thicker asparagus rather than thin but whichever you choose, I have learned, it is important that all of the spears be the same size for the best cooking results.  These are my three favorite ways to prepare this amazing vegetable:  

(1) Steamed and Served with Anything 
Usually I simply cut the ends off and steam asparagus over the stove.  This is honestly one of the easiest things to do to this fantastic vegetable – you set up a steamer or even just a large pot and fill the bottom with water, about an inch.  Then while you are bringing this water to a boil and cut the hard white ends off of the bottom of the stalks.  There is not hard or fast rule on exactly how much to cut – I usually just make sure the spears will fit in my strainer.  After the water reaches a boil, all if you have to do is place the asparagus in the basket and cook them while covered them until bright green and tender.  I love asparagus so much that I will eat them “plain” with just a bit of salt and pepper, as shown above, but I also love drizzling them with a balsamic reduction as an addition to any meal. 

(2) Grilled with Parmesan Cheese
This is so simple – preheat to 400 degrees, coat the cookie/baking sheet with non-stick spray, and coat the asparagus with a fine drizzle of olive oil.  Cook for six minutes and and then flip the asparagus and rotate the tray front to back.  Unlike most recipes, I add the parmesan cheese at this point, sprinkling it liberally over the top of the asparagus, instead of waiting until they come out of the oven – I like when the cheese melts a bit.  Afterwards I usually bake them for an additional five minutes until the asparagus are tender. 

(3) Prosciutto Wrapped
This is one of the things I remember as a side dish of every holiday table.  As a young child I remember getting to be in charge of the timer (hey, it used to be cool), then as I grew older I was allowed to make the spread mixture and then finally make them all by myself.  
Turn the oven to 450 and let it heat up.  Take softened cream cheese and mix it with chopped garlic, salt and pepper.  Spread out thinly sliced prosciutto from the butcher, trim off all fat, and slice into inch wide pieces.  Now comes the tricky part – gently applying the cheese spread.  After dozens of attempts I have found the best way to spread this mixture on the delicate meat is either with a frosting knife or the back of the spoon.  If it suits your fancy you can wrap every asparagus with prosciutto but when every spear is covered with meat and cheese it is rather heavy in my family we wrap every other, or every third.  Once you spread all of the asparagus across a single layer on a baking sheet bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the asparagus is tender.  

The proscuitto wrapped asparagus is a family tradition and I am excitied to make it tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner!

Do you have food traditions at the holidays? 

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Comments

  1. Bex says

    November 24, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    I love asparagus x

  2. Meg says

    November 23, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    Yummy! Anything wrapped with prosciutto is a winner! Cute blog πŸ™‚ Xo

  3. fleurani says

    November 22, 2012 at 6:36 am

    Kelly Ann, I a huge lover of asparagus as well, most of the time I eat it with sauce hollandaire Yummie but love it as well wrapped in proscuitti πŸ™‚

    have a great thanksgiving dear πŸ™‚

    ani
    http://www.fleurani.blogspot.de

  4. Izzy says

    November 22, 2012 at 5:10 am

    I’m not really a fan of it myself to be honest, but I will try your idea with cheese! as I love cheese haha. big fan of broccoli though!

    metallicpaws.blogspot.com

  5. Aleksandra says

    November 22, 2012 at 4:56 am

    Yummy !

    http://www.olastory.com/

  6. Soulofashopper says

    November 22, 2012 at 4:26 am

    this looks yummy!!!! πŸ™‚ xo, Alma
    http://www.soulofashopper.com

  7. Chris Ed says

    November 22, 2012 at 1:53 am

    I love Asparagus! Very nice ideas dear!
    kisses chris

  8. femmefrugality says

    November 21, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    That dinner looks so fantastic to me. I know it was born of Sandy, but seriously. Our holiday food traditions are pretty simple…awesome rolls, awesome turkey, canned cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes. πŸ™‚

  9. Allyssa says

    November 21, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    I’m not a big asparagus fan, but I think if done the right way, I’d love it!

  10. s says

    November 21, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    yum,!!!!!!!!! xO!
    http://www.thehautecookie.com

  11. Lavender Loafers says

    November 21, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    Yummy, delicious!!!!

  12. Kiwi Fashion Blog says

    November 21, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    Yummy! The presentation is impressive as well! I don’t mind having just all vegetarian for a day as well. You made this dish looks easy enough I am tempted to try it myself πŸ™‚ Happy holidays to you too!

  13. Coco Bolinho says

    November 21, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    Hi gorgeous, thank you for visiting my blog and for your lovely comment!
    I’m already following you but I couldn’t find you in my list:(
    would you like to follow me back?
    kisses
    http://styleglaze.blogspot.com

  14. sonia de macedo says

    November 21, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    Mmm one of my favs. I love them with a special vinaigrette I make, I honestly could live off that alone… soooo gooood!

    SDMxx
    http://www.daringcoco.com
    NEW GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG! Enter NOW

  15. Helena Resende says

    November 21, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    Cool post πŸ™‚

  16. samecookiesdifferent says

    November 21, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    yum yum with a delicious cup of wine
    LOVE
    x the cookies
    samecookiesdifferent.blogspot.com

  17. SIENA.STYLE says

    November 21, 2012 at 4:39 pm

    it looks delicious!!
    kisses from milano
    http://sienastyle.blogspot.it/

  18. Anthea Sanna says

    November 21, 2012 at 4:23 pm

    great post!

    New post on my blog!
    http://www.antheafashion.com

  19. Arien Plutonidades says

    November 21, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Hi sweetie!
    I love asparagus, so delicious for me!!
    It’s a great recipe πŸ™‚
    xoxo

  20. Anouka says

    November 21, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    So healthy! Great serving ideas.

    LUXESSED

  21. Marie says

    November 21, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    I like asparagus πŸ˜‰ delicious!

    Marie lived in London

  22. Well... says

    November 21, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Mmmmm, this looks so good!

    Enter to win a statement cuff from ManEater – international giveaway!
    Trendy Teal

  23. ZxM Style-Squared says

    November 21, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    Great fan of asparagus, tastes delicious plus makes you go pee more!;)))

  24. dipitblack.com says

    November 21, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    Love them so so much!
    Looks really tasty!

    X
    http://dipitblack.com

  25. Susie says

    November 21, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    LOVE asparagus – prosciutto wrapped is the best!

    Sea and Swank

  26. THE GREAT ZEGBE says

    November 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Food is my favorite hobby!! πŸ™‚ lol

    it looks really delightful.
    are you going to invite me over or what??

    nice job with the blog btw

    antwerpstreetfashion.blogspot.com

  27. matr0sha says

    November 21, 2012 at 11:58 am

    soooo tasty…<3

  28. Stephanie says

    November 21, 2012 at 11:43 am

    Yum! Grilled with the parmesan is definitely my favorite, because I only like asparagus if it’s soft. It probably gets pretty soft from steaming though, right?

  29. Real College Student of Atlanta says

    November 21, 2012 at 11:41 am

    looks yummy! my favorite vegetable! <3

  30. Sheila says

    November 21, 2012 at 11:01 am

    I love asparagus! Our fav way is to oven roast them with just olive oil and seasalt and squeeze lemon juice on top when it’s out of the oven. Mmmm… πŸ™‚

    xo – Sheila
    http://www.sheislovelyblog.com

  31. Always Maylee says

    November 21, 2012 at 10:58 am

    I used to not like asparagus when I was younger, but now I really enjoy them!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

  32. Go For The Glam says

    November 21, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies too! I love it grilled πŸ™‚

    xo Olivia
    go for the glam

  33. CΓͺ says

    November 21, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Seems nice πŸ˜‰

    http://semjeitonenhum.blogspot.pt

  34. Valeria Alvarez says

    November 21, 2012 at 9:53 am

    mmm love them!!

    Kisses
    <3 Val
    http://www.beautyval13.blogspot.com

  35. aree1997 says

    November 21, 2012 at 9:40 am

    I never tasted this vegetable before! How it taste like >.< ?

    Aree
    http://areewithumbrella.blogspot.com/

    • Kelly Ann says

      November 21, 2012 at 1:40 pm

      Absolutely delicious, you will have to try them!

  36. Heather says

    November 21, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Grilled with parm is my asparagus of choice πŸ˜‰

    XO
    Pearls & Paws

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.Β  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles!Β 

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