More asparagus? Really, another asparagus recipe?
Yes, that asparagus keeps coming, but the end is in sight. We’re seeing more and more skinny shoots now. When the majority of the shoots are skinny it’s time to stop harvesting and then no more garden fresh asparagus until next year.
I looked at what we had in the refrigerator tonight to go with asparagus and then went out on the Internet looking for ideas. I found this interesting sounding recipe for a roasted red pepper and asparagus salad.
We had all the ingredients so I gave it a try. It was just splendid. The pickled onions in particular were so tasty. I’ll be keeping them in mind to garnish other dishes.
2 side salad servings
Ingredients
1 red bell pepper
1/4 pound asparagus
olive oil
salt and pepper (kosher salt is really good here for the roasted asparagus)
1 lemon, juiced
about 1/4 cup minced red onion (about 1/8″ cubes)
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 clove garlic, peeled, crushed and finely minced
flat leaf parsley for garnish
Procedure
Place the minced onion and garlic in a bowl, sprinkle with brown sugar and drizzle with the juice of half of the lemon. Toss well. Set aside.
Roast the red bell pepper. If you have a gas cooktop hold it over the open flame until it is blackened all over. Otherwise do it under the broiler.
Wrap the pepper in plastic wrap and let cool for about 10 minutes. Rub the blackened skin off under running water.
Slice into 1/4 inch strips.
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Line a baking pan with a sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil (you don’t have to do this, it just makes clean up easy)
Brush with olive oil. Spread the asparagus on the baking pan and roll around to coat with the oil. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Roast for about 20-25 minutes, turning after 10 minutes, until crisp-tender.
Drizzle with the remaining lemon juice.
To serve arrange the peppers and asparagus attractively, sprinkle with the pickled onions, and garnish with a few parsley leaves.
Drizzle with a few spoonfuls of your favorite vinaigrette if you like.
Serve at room temperature.
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