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I’m always hesitant to say something is “the best”, but honestly, this 3 ingredient asparagus recipe is the best I’ve ever made, or eaten.
And I take zero credit for its brilliance, as it comes from The Pretty Dish cookbook, created by Jessica Merchant of How Sweet Eats.
Do you love her blog, How Sweet Eats, as much as I do? Her writing makes me feel like I’m talking to my best girlfriend, letting you into her real life, who talks about all the things she loves from food to makeup (the book also includes 50 Beauty DIYs!), clothes, celebrity gossip, music, vacations, her children….. which I appreciate because it brings out the feminine side of me that sometimes gets lost.
I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with Jessica last year, and I can tell you she is every bit of wonderful – humble and down to earth, a contagious energy, and the ability to make me belly laugh without even trying. Through this book, you’ll find that exact same person, along with 150 delicious recipes with a vibrant photo for each and every one of them. She even includes party menus and her favorite playlists!
I picked this parmesan asparagus recipe to share with you since spring is finally here (even though we’re getting snow today in Minnesota 😐), and Easter is this Sunday.
As Jessica says, “Asparagus is one of the few veggies I can take to a gathering and know that it will be eaten with gusto.” And eaten with gusto it was, in this house. Brian and I ate every single spear straight off the pan.
I altered the recipe slightly, using a tablespoon of the bacon fat that had rendered, to replace half of the olive oil called for. And it paid off in the form of richly flavored spears from the inside out, and crunchy tips. I also must have spaced out for a second while making the recipe, because the shallot I bought from the list of ingredients never made it into the pan. Oops! But that little mistake didn’t seem to hurt the end result. And it certainly keeps things simple.
The most important tip for making perfectly roasted asparagus is error on the side of less time than more in the oven! Asparagus becomes limp when its overcooked, especially because it naturally has a lot of water content, creating an undesirable texture. Vegetables cook for a few minutes even after they’re out of the oven, so you’ll want to take that into consideration.
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Abby Burtness
April 9, 2023
YUM! My new favorite way to prepare asparagus.
Amanda Paa
April 9, 2023
So great to hear, Abby! Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
JOANNE KLOEPFER
April 12, 2018
IS THIS ONE OF THE BEST YEARS FOR ASPARAGUS? I BOUGHT FROM RALEY’S A GROCERY CHAIN FROM CALIF. THIS YEAR THE TASTE WAS “SOO SWEET” THE TEXTURE WASN’T STRINGY. I CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF 2018 ASPARAGUS.
amandapaa
April 12, 2018
yes, this batch was great! i loved the thickness of the spears, and had a sweet yummy taste.
Jessica
March 28, 2018
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! you are the best. <3 <3 <3
xoxoxo
Sara @ Cake Over Steak
March 27, 2018
Yessss we had asparagus last night for the first time this spring, and now I’m bookmarking this to make for next time!
Sherrie
March 26, 2018
Gimme every spear. So good!
amandapaa
March 27, 2018
I now double the recipe when I make it, because yes, SO GOOD!