EASY ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Need a deliciously healthy side dish for dinner tonight? Let’s get working on this amazingly simple recipe to get your veggies in.


BY: EA STEWART, MBA, RD

Last week, I ate almost {gulp!} an entire pan of this perfectly roasted asparagus. Super easy to make, it’s my latest healthy addiction.  Need some reasons to devour your own pan of roasted asparagus?

How about this for starters…it’s rich in vitamin K, folate, copper, selenium, and thiamin, plus antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients, along with glutathione for detoxification.

Low in calories (only about 5 calories per spear!), asparagus is particularly high in vitamin K, which is incredibly important for bone health.  All you need is a cup to give you 70% of your daily amount!  

Asparagus contains a variety of flavonoids, plant-based antioxidants that help remove harmful free radicals from your body. It is also rich in the B-complex vitamins that help fuel various enzymatic functions in metabolism, as well as a great source of folate.

Ever noticed that you may go to the bathroom more when you eat asparagus? That’s because it has long been touted as a natural diuretic, and let’s not forget all that fiber to help you stay regular!

Cool stuff, huh?! Want to make your own pan of roasted asparagus? Here’s how…

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400ºF. 
  2. While oven is heating, wash and dry asparagus and trim ends. 
  3. Lay asparagus out on a rimmed baking sheet, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, then rub it in well. 
  4. Sprinkle a liberal amount of sea salt and ground black pepper.
  5. Roast for 20-30 minutes. If you like yours a little crispy, 30 minutes is asparagus perfection!
Adapted from the original article.

EA Stewart, MBA, RD is a San Diego-based private practice dietitian and culinary nutritionist with a passion for creating amazing gluten-free recipes to nourish your healthiest life. Focusing on a realistic healthy lifestyle, EA knows that eating is meant to be a shared experience to savor with family and friends. Visit her for more beautifully creative recipes at Spicy RD Nutrition.