If you are looking for an easy and incredibly flavorful vegetable side dish, then try making this fresh asparagus recipe! They are nicely seasoned, beautifully buttered while perfectly complimented with sweet shallots and garlic scapes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or even special celebrations!
You can prepare asparagus in so many different ways, but I prefer to either oven-roast these greens or toss them in the skillet. Their unique flavor goes well with a light buttery topping and sweet shallots. In this recipe, we add garlic scapes to compliment everything with a mild garlicky flavor.
OVEN ROASTED ASPARAGUS PAIR WELL WITH A VARIETY OF MAIN DISHES
It is one of those sides that can complement a variety of main dishes. Any leftovers also quickly reheat in either the microwave or in a skillet over low heat. In my house, they often become a light next-day-lunch. Let's look at some pairing options:
- It can become a lovely gluten-free, vegetarian main dish by adding cooked quinoa or black rice. The buttery shallots nicely coat these type of healthy grains, and it adds a beautiful texture to the overall dish. It also goes perfectly with homemade pasta. Try pairing it with A Healthy and Gluten-free Vegetable Pasta. Nothing like adding an extra creamy and sweet vegetable side dish to an olive oil based pasta.
- Combine it with a lovely fish dish. These glazed vegetables will go well with any white fish like cod or flounder. But they also add fantastic flavor to oven-roasted salmon. Try my Super Flavorful and Easy Buttery Wild Salmon recipe. They can go in the oven at the same time at a 375 degrees pre-heated oven, ready in about 20 minutes each (give or take.)
- I love making them when I use the slow cooker to make tender short ribs. All I have to do in the evening is to prepare this quick asparagus dish and dinner is served. Try An Easy Beef Short Ribs Recipe. You will love this combo!
- But nothing says that you can't enjoy these greens with more simple options like a fried egg, or to compliment a large green, citrusy salad that is already a full meal in itself. You will love the Citrusy Kale, Fennel and Salmon salad with Mozzarella.
MAKE A FESTIVE SIDE DISH
It is, of course, all in the presentation! I think because asparagus is so widely loved and easy to make, they quickly become part of any Holiday or celebration menu. And they can look incredibly beautiful and round out your meal. So when you have guest over make this beautiful asparagus bouquet. Immediately when the vegetables come out of the oven, transfer them to a large serving plate. Then evenly top them with the buttered shallots and garlic scapes. They will already look beautifully glazed at your dinner table! But make it extra special by tying the stems together with one garlic scape, creating a lovely bouquet. It just looks amazing!
Whether you choose a meat or fish based dish, trying to compliment a sumptuous vegetable meal or use them as left-overs the next day with a simple addon like eggs or salads, you will love this recipe. Let me know what you think and with what you will pair it! Enjoy!
Don't forget to PIN this on your healthy side dishes board so you’ll have this recipe on hand. Have questions? Always love to hear from you!
Roasted Asparagus with Buttered Shallots & Garlic Scapes
Mariska RamondinoIngredients
- 2 pounds fresh asparagus
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- 6 tablespoons real butter
- 2 large shallots chopped
- 2 garlic scapes chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Thoroughly rinse the asparagus and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. Cut off any wooden and hard end pieces. Spread the asparagus on the baking sheet. Season lightly with salt and coat lightly with olive oil. Roast the asparagus for 15 to 20 minutes until they are slightly browned and tender.
- During the last 5 minutes of the asparagus' roasting time, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and the garlic scapes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook and stir for 3 minutes, then remove the skillet from the stove.
- When ready, remove the asparagus from the oven and transfer to a large serving plate. Evenly top the asparagus with the buttered onions and garlic scapes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you can't find garlic scapes, simply replace them with 3 garlic cloves, chopped!
- Serve these alongside a show-stopping main dish like short ribs. Leftovers taste great mixed into eggs.
Add your own private notes
Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes.
Nutrition (% Daily value)
Disclaimer: This nutritional data is calculated using third party tools and is only intended as a reference.
Ramona says
I have made this the other night and it was.... spectacular. The simplicity of this asparagus dish makes it extra special. I have drizzled some lemon juice over before serving. Kids asked for seconds and that says a lot if not everything. Gorgeous!
Mariska says
Oh, thank you, Ramona and I am so happy your kids liked it as well!