Asparagus is a tasty, simple, and healthy low calorie side dish. How to saute asparagus in olive oil and garlic for a delicious & healthy vegetable dish.
Asparagus is a delicious and flavorsome green vegetable. Asparagus is especially affordable during the early spring, but is available all year round. Asparagus is a delicious and easy to prepare side dish to any meal, requiring minimal cooking time and very little clean up.
Asparagus can be prepared in a variety of ways, including being steamed, roasted, pickled, stir-fried, boiled, micro waved, and sautéed. Asparagus is especially delicious sautéed. Sautéing asparagus is also one of the easiest ways to prepare this flavorsome green vegetable. Listed below are simple instructions for how to sauté asparagus.
Asparagus is an excellent healthy side dish for those with speical dietary needs. Asparagus is low in calories, and high in vitamin a and fiber. When lightly sautéed in a little heart healthy olive oil, sautéed asparagus can be tasty and slimming addition to any meal. Asparagus also an easy vegetable side dish for any holiday meal or family dinner.
Table of Contents
How to Sauté Asparagus
Preparation Time
- 5 minutes or less
Cooking Time:
- 15 to 20 minutes. Cooking time depends on the size of skillet, amount of asparagus being cooked in the skillet, and preference for how tender asparagus should be cooked.
Cooking Supplies Needed to Sautee Asparagus:
- Strainer, to thoroughly wash asparagus
- Cutting board
- Cutting knife, to chop garlic
- Large skillet
- Lid to cover skillet
- Metal spatula
Ingredients:
- Peeled and chopped garlic, to taste, one or two cloves
- Bundle of asparagus
- One to three tablespoons of olive oil, depending on amount of asparagus being sautéed. Asparagus is also delicious sautéed in butter.
- Salt or pepper, to taste. Sea salt is especially tasty on sautéed asparagus.
How to Sauté Asparagus in Olive Oil and Garlic
- Begin by washing asparagus in cold water using strainer, until thoroughly rinsed.
- Using cutting board and chopping knife, cut away any very hard ends at the bottom of each asparagus, if needed.
- Peel garlic. Break away cloves from garlic bulb. Peel each clove. Chop garlic. You may need to cut asparagus in half, or smaller pieces if whole asparagus does not fit inside skillet. Additionally, you can cut asparagus in smaller bit sized pieces, if you prefer.
- Add oil or butter to skillet. Butter melds well with the delicate and distinctive flavors of the asparagus. Heart healthy olive oil adds a delicious flavor and is a healthier choice then butter.
- Put heat on high. When oil is hot, first, add chopped garlic, then asparagus. Using metal spatula, mix asparagus and garlic.
- Add lid to skillet. Turn heat down to low and let cook until tender. Every few minutes, stir asparagus with metal spatula. Remember cooking times vary depending on amount of asparagus being cooked in skillet.
You also can use pre-minced garlic, or garlic powder if you do not have any real garlic handy. Diced shallots or scallions also work well if real garlic is not available. A pinch of real ginger, peeled and shredded, also is a tasty addition to sautéed asparagus.
Green beans are another flavorsome green vegetable that are delicious sautéed in olive oil, garlic, and salt.
