Simple Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

Ingredient notes and substitutions

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

Thinner spears are youthful and will probably be extra tender than thicker spears. They can even 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 little bit goes a good distance, although, you don’t want a lot. I exploit 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 few of the juice excessive, if desired.

Extras ~ Contemporary dill or thyme could be nice with this roasted asparagus with lemon. In the event you like warmth, sprinkle on some crushed crimson pepper flakes. You possibly can’t go unsuitable with garlic powder both.

A drizzle of balsamic vinegar proper earlier than serving could be an exquisite addition.

Desire 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 use a pointy knife and reduce the place the inexperienced coloration begins to fade.

Organize 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 everywhere in the spears.

Roast till calmly browned and crisp-tender. They’re achieved 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 suggest 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 gained’t be as contemporary tasting or crisp as when freshly roasted, however will nonetheless be scrumptious. Contemplate including leftover asparagus to pasta primavera, risotto, vegan quiche, or asparagus soup.

Professional ideas and tips

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

~ Use sufficient oil to calmly 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 little 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.

~ Organize the asparagus in one even layer, with house 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 gained’t outcome within the crisp-tender texture we’re searching for.

~ Don’t over cook dinner! Overcooking could 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 make sure to use a number of baking sheets so the greens aren’t overcrowded on the pan.

Less difficult vegetable aspect dishes