Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Spring Food Festival - Asparagus!

Spring is officially here!  During the next couple of months, we'll be able to take advantage of all the delicious & healthy spring produce at our Farmer's Markets and from our own gardens.  Depending where you live of course... ;o)

I am going to take the next few days to talk about spring produce and provide links to recipes that I've tried, or in some cases, want to try.

I hope you'll enjoy them!  So, on with the Festival! 

Today's spring produce star is Asparagus!  This is my absolute favorite spring vegetable!



From Wikipedia: "Asparagus officinalis is a spring vegetable, a flowering perennial[1] plant species in the genus Asparagus. It was once classified in the lily family, like its Allium cousins, onions and garlic, but the Liliaceae have been split and the onion-like plants are now in the family Alliaceae and asparagus in the Asparagaceae. Asparagus officinalis is native to most of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia, and is widely cultivated as a vegetable crop. 

Only young asparagus shoots are commonly eaten: once the buds start to open, the shoots quickly turn woody and become strongly flavoured. Asparagus is low in calories and is very low in sodium. It is a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc, and a very good source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, rutin, niacin, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium[citation needed], as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells[citation needed]. The amino acid asparagine gets its name from asparagus, the asparagus plant being rich in this compound."

Here are links to two recipes, both I have made and recommend highly!


~Paula Deen's Asparagus with Citrus-Sesame Sauce

~Ina Garten's Roasted Asparagus


I have provided some links to Tupperware products that can be used in these recipes. Just click on the product picture for more information.







Keep Asparagus Fresh Longer!



Click on the product picture, then on "Shop Our Product Gallery > Refrigerate"






Freeze to Enjoy Later!




Click on the product picture, then on "Shop Our Product Gallery > Freeze"






Healthy Steaming - As seen on DR. Oz!





Click on the product picture, then on "Shop Our Product Gallery > Microwave"




 
 
 
 
 
 

6 comments:

Jessica said...

Hello, found you from Chic on a Shoestring's blog, and I just love the Chop'N prep chef! Looks too cool!! :)

Emily said...

I saw the Chop 'N Prep Chef on Chic on a Shoestring, and it looks amazing!

S.Greiner said...

I LOVE Chop 'N Prep on Chic on a Shoestring...would love to have it in my own kitchen!?!?!

Jenn said...

Came over here rom Chic on a Shoestring's blog. I heart the chop n prep Chef and your blog. I love asparagus and only make it sauteed in oil. Cant wait to try your recipe's

heather said...

Came over from chic on a shoestring's blog, I heart the chop'n prep chef!

Unknown said...

Hi found you form chic on a shoestring and i love the chop'N prep