Asparagus is in season, and with it enters my favorite and easiest vegetable side dish — roasted asparagus. When roasted, the spears become long green candies, begging to be eaten with your fingers. The tips should char slightly giving them a lovely crispness, and though the asparagus will brown it will still retain it’s vibrant color.
Steaming asparagus is easy too. However, I find any moment of distraction produces mushy overcooked asparagus, more appropriate for your dog then your guests. If you roast the asparagus in the oven it is far more forgiving of overcooking.
1 big bunch asparagus
1 generous tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 400F. Wash and dry asparagus. Trim off woody ends. Toss asparagus onto a baking sheet and coat in olive oil evenly. Sprinkle with generous amounts of salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes. Give the tray a shake and bake for another five. If your asparagus is very young and thin this is likely enough, otherwise it may need another 5- 10 minutes. You want it to be a little brown, and almost charring on the tips.
Similar Recipes:
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Kale Chips
Roasted Okra
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
This is my favorite side of spring also. I can never resist eating it out of the pan.
In college we used to cover ours in olive oil and tons of salt and pepper, then throw them on the George Foreman. They were so good with that little salt crust. Especially the burnt parts!
I absolutely love asparagus and especially roasted they are the best. Looks lovely!
I made this the other day and added a tiny drizzle of balsamic when they first came out of the oven and while they were still in the pan. It caramelized immediately and added a really nice depth of flavor.
This is how I do it too! In fact I had it this way for dinner tonight! GREG
Joanne – tell me about it. I never admit it, but I eat like 1/4 of the asparagus before I serve it. Every. Time.
Nikki – ahh the “George Foreman”. We had that in college too!
Simone – thanks!
Tara – what a great suggestion.
sippitysup – Now I wish I made them tonight.
I don’t think I could ever go back to steaming vegetables when roasting (or grilling) makes them so amazing, especially asparagus!
Wild asparagus grows every spring at my in-laws farm. Can’t wait to get my hands on some so I can roast it as you have. It looks fantastic!
roasting veggies is awesome! i tend to shy away from asparagus though because it makes my pee smell funky hah. can’t wait until i’m home and can grill stuff regularly
Brent – I have still never had REALLY fresh asparagus. How luck you are!
Love it! Simple, classic.
That is pretty much the same roasting recipe that I always use when roasting asparagus. I just add minced garlic to sprinkle the asparagus together with salt and pepper. So delicious! My favorite way to prepare asparagus.
I can’t believe I ate 1/2 the bunch myself!
it came out perfect esp. compared to my usually slightly overcooked sauted version. I can’t wait to try it w/ the balsamic!
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