Cheesy Spiced Asparagus Al Dente "Pasta"

Cheesy Spiced Asparagus al dente "pasta"

The joy of pasta without the carbs or gluten!

The idea for this pasta free "pasta" came from a desire to eat the remaining half of the asparagus I purchased (see other recipe for first use) and because I was craving flavorful cheesiness. The fact that it is low carb is just a bonus.

The asparagus in this recipe acts like pasta that has been cooked al dente. The cheese and spice overpower the flavor of the asparagus so much so that you really could believe you are eating carb-laden pasta.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 1 (but I was very full afterward)

You will need aluminum foil and an oven/toaster oven.

Ingredients:

1/2 bunch asparagus, rinsed and cut

big handful of shredded cheddar cheese

garlic powder

onion powder

black pepper

Cajun spice

hot sauce (optional)

cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut asparagus into pieces that are 1-2 inches long. Loosely pile asparagus on greased aluminum foil covered baking sheet. Pieces of asparagus can overlap but you want to be able to expose all pieces to cheese and spice.

Spray asparagus with cooking spray. Sprinkle desired spices (garlic, onion, pepper, Cajun) over asparagus. Place in oven for 20-25 minutes. In final 5 minutes of cooking, remove from oven and quickly sprinkle with hot sauce (optional) and cover with shredded cheese. Place back in oven and continue baking until cheese is melted. Be sure you don't allow cheese to start browning. You need it to be "melty" for the meal to seem like pasta.

Remove from oven and enjoy your low-carb, gluten free "pasta" dish. 

Oven Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce

Oven Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce

You will be licking your plate!

I never buy fresh asparagus. I love eating asparagus, but preparing it from scratch always seemed scary. In a bout of "must eat healthy" shopping, I picked up a bunch, put it in my fridge and put off figuring out how to prepare it. Feeling inspired one afternoon, I grabbed the asparagus and started to throw together a meal. 

I scoured my shelves for things that could go with the asparagus and found a forgotten bottle of balsamic vinegar. This sparked the idea for the sauce and suddenly I was looking forward to making the once-scary asparagus.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Serves: 1 

You will need aluminum foil, a microwave and an oven. As always, I used my toaster oven instead.

Ingredients:

1/2 bunch of fresh asparagus, rinsed 

garlic powder

onion powder

ground black pepper

Cajun seasoning (optional)

cooking spray

2 tbsp butter (give or take)

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (give or take)

Directions:

Set oven to 400 degrees.

I cut about an inch off the blunt ends off of the asparagus because it just doesn't look appetizing. 

Lay aluminum foil on a baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray. Line asparagus on foil. All pieces should be equally exposed. Spray asparagus with cooking spray. Sprinkle with garlic, onion, pepper and Cajun seasoning. Sprinkle as much, or as little, as you like to suit your tastes. I used a good portion of garlic powder and only a little Cajun so the asparagus would "brown" on top.

Bake asparagus for 25-30 minutes. When the asparagus is almost finished, place butter in a microwave safe dish and heat until just melted. Mix in balsamic vinegar and adjust to taste.

When asparagus is tender remove from oven. Place on a plate or in a bowl. You may either pick up the asparagus like fries and dip in the butter sauce or drizzle the sauce over the asparagus. Either way, if you are like me, you will be licking the plate when all asparagus is gone.