5 Fresher Ways to Prepare Asparagus — Sensational Sides

We associate asparagus with hollandaise sauce the way we associate peanut butter with jelly. But it’s high time we divorced these tender green spears, rich in antioxidants, fiber, thiamin and iron, from an exceedingly caloric topping that only serves to mask their fresh, vegetal taste. Fresh herbs, lemon juice, and salt and pepper alone can do wonders to cut through the intense earthiness of asparagus without drowning it out completely. For your next spring soiree, consider one of these light and wholesome methods for preparing this quintessential spring vegetable:

Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Bundles
Rosemary-laced asparagus finds its ideal flavor and textural counterpoint in the form of tender smoked salmon. Bundle each individual spear in a slice of the smoked fish — or bundle several spears together.

Mushroom, Barley and Roasted Asparagus
Food Network Kitchen’s wholesome asparagus side dish pairs perfectly with almost any protein. Pile the fragrant seasoned barley and button mushrooms on top of roasted asparagus, and serve with a reasonable portion of grilled chicken or pork for a guilt-free weeknight meal.

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Vinaigrette
Melissa d’Arabian dresses roasted asparagus in a homemade lemon vinaigrette for a lighter take on the classic asparagus-and-hollandaise side dish. The spears need just 10 minutes in the oven, and then they’re great served warm or cold.

Asparagus and Tomato Skewers with Honey Mustard-Horseradish Sauce
If you’ve already rolled out the grill for another season of outdoor cooking, consider Bobby Flay’s smoky grilled asparagus. Skewer cherry tomatoes and grill them alongside the spears for a sweet, juicy component. The sweet and zesty honey-mustard sauce pulls it all together.

Sauteed Asparagus with Olives and Basil
The combination of savory garlic and olives plus aromatic basil brightens crisp asparagus in this 20-minute side dish. Cutting the asparagus into short pieces allows them to cook quickly.

For more ways to prepare asparagus, check out these recipes from our friends:

Creative Culinary: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Garlic and Parsley
Homemade Delish: Asparagus Crostini
Devour: 25 Ways to Use Asparagus
Feed Me Phoebe: Spring Quinoa Mujadara with Asparagus
In Jennie’s Kitchen: Asparagus & Arugula Panzanella
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Asparagus, Onion & Pesto Pizza
Red or Green: Roasted Asparagus with Spicy Thousand Island Dressing
The Mom 100: Millet Greens Salad
Taste with the Eyes: Modern Asparagus Spring Rolls – Red Chili, Black Sesame, Almond
FN Dish: 6 Ways to Bundle Up Asparagus This Spring

from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/1V47roj