Make Roasted (Baked) Asparagus

Roasting or baking asparagus is a tasty, relatively low cal way to enjoy a springtime treat. The following steps will help guide the cook in preparing a crisp, roasted or baked vegetable side dish.

Ingredients

  • Asparagus
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cooking spray
  • Parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps

  1. Purchase approximately 1 pound of asparagus to serve 4 dinners.
  2. Place the asparagus in a colander and rinse thoroughly.
  3. Allow the asparagus to drain thoroughly.
  4. Preheat the oven to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
  5. Tear off a piece of aluminum foil and line a jelly roll pan.
  6. Spray the jelly roll pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  7. Snap the woody ends off the asparagus and place the asparagus tips neatly in the prepared jelly roll pan.
  8. Do not allow the asparagus tips to overlap as this will steam the asparagus rather than bake or roast them.
  9. Spray the asparagus tips with olive oil flavored nonstick cooking spray.
  10. Season with salt and pepper.
  11. Place the pan of asparagus tips in the preheated oven.
  12. Bake until a light golden brown and tender-crisp. This should take about 15 minutes.
  13. Arrange the asparagus tips onto a vertical serving dish or platter.
  14. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the asparagus, if desired.
  15. Sprinkle Italian dressing on the asparagus to give it more flavor, if desired.

  16. Finished.

Tips

  • At the grocery store select asparagus that is stored in a vertical position and kept in a pan of fresh water.
  • You do not have to line the baking pan with aluminum foil, but this makes for easy clean-up.
  • Choose fresh, green looking asparagus for the best tasting vegetable.
  • Use a roasting pan to prepare 2 pounds of baked (roasted) asparagus.
  • Avoid dry or old looking asparagus.
  • Asparagus will naturally break off the woody tip if you hold the asparagus in your and and use the other hand to break the tip off.
  • To roast rather than bake the asparagus preheat the oven to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. Follow the above directions and bake the asparagus at the higher temperature. This method is a little quicker, produces crispier asparagus tips, but can warp the baking pan.

Warnings

  • Use oven mitts to remove the hot pan from the oven.

Things You'll Need

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • Aluminum foil
  • Jelly roll pan

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