Straightforward Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Asparagus ~ Select asparagus spears which might be agency and durable with tightly closed suggestions. They need to be shiny inexperienced with some white on the backside and should have a darker inexperienced or purple hue on the ideas.

Thinner spears are youthful and might be extra tender than thicker spears. They may also take much less time to cook dinner.

Oil ~ A little bit of oil will assist the asparagus to brown and can maintain the ideas from drying out and burning. A bit goes a good distance, although, you don’t want a lot. I take advantage of simply 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons for one bunch.

Seasoning ~ Salt and pepper is all you want.

Lemon ~ Lemon is a scrumptious complement to roasted asparagus. After roasting the spears sprinkle them with lemon zest. Simply earlier than serving squeeze a number of the juice excessive, if desired.

Extras ~ Contemporary dill or thyme could be nice with this roasted asparagus with lemon. For those who like warmth, sprinkle on some crushed purple pepper flakes. You may’t go improper with garlic powder both.

A drizzle of balsamic vinegar proper earlier than serving could be a beautiful addition.

Need a crunch? Toast up some nuts, like almonds, walnuts, or pistachios, and toss them onto the greens earlier than serving.

Or end off the serving platter by sprinkling a tablespoon of vegan parmesan cheese over the spears.

Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus spears.

You are able to do this by bending the spears towards the underside and let it snap by itself or you should utilize a pointy knife and minimize the place the inexperienced colour begins to fade.

Prepare the asparagus spears in one even layer on a rimmed baking sheet.

Drizzle with olive oil and roll the spears round so they’re coated throughout, particularly the ideas so that they don’t dry out and burn. Unfold them again out into one even layer.

Sprinkle salt and pepper generously all around the spears.

Roast till flippantly browned and crisp-tender. They’re carried out once they can simply be pierced with a fork.

Storage

Fridge: Roasted asparagus with lemon is greatest eaten instantly. Nevertheless, leftovers might be saved in an air-tight container within the fridge for two to three days.

Freezer: I don’t advocate freezing leftover roasted asparagus.

Reheat: Gently reheat within the microwave, in a skillet on the stovetop, or within the oven on a baking sheet.

Regardless of the way you reheat leftover asparagus, it received’t be as recent tasting or crisp as when freshly roasted, however will nonetheless be scrumptious. Think about including leftover asparagus to pasta primavera, risotto, vegan quiche, or asparagus soup.

Professional suggestions and tips

~ Snap off (or minimize off) the fibrous, woody ends of the asparagus.

~ Use sufficient oil to flippantly coat the spears throughout, particularly the ideas so that they don’t dry out and burn within the oven. However don’t use an excessive amount of oil, both. A bit goes a good distance. 2 teaspoons per bunch is a lot.

~ Use a rimmed baking sheet so the asparagus spears don’t roll off.

~ Prepare the asparagus in one even layer, with area in between every spear, on the baking sheet. Overlapping the spears or overcrowding the pan may trigger them to steam as an alternative of roast which received’t outcome within the crisp-tender texture we’re in search of.

~ Don’t over cook dinner! Overcooking may cause the roasted asparagus to turn out to be soggy.

~ This straightforward roasted asparagus recipe can simply be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd. Simply you should definitely use a number of baking sheets so the greens aren’t overcrowded on the pan.

Simpler vegetable aspect dishes