Garlic Asparagus
Garlic Asparagus with crispy bacon is a tasty side dish for any meal. Fresh asparagus is quickly cooked until tender and tossed with crispy garlic butter and bacon.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 131kcal
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon
- 1 pound fresh asparagus stalks
- 3- 4 cups water
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Cut bacon into small slices and cook bacon in a pan until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and set aside.
- Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus by bending each stalk between the green and white ends. Give the asparagus a quick rinse in cold water. Discard any stalks that are limp, soft or discolored.
- Fill a skillet or pan with about 2 inches of water and bring to a boil.
- Add the asparagus and cook 4- 5 minutes just until asparagus yields to a fork easily.
- Drain the water and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a small pan add the butter and garlic, cooking over low heat, stirring often until garlic just starts to toast.
- Remove from heat and pour over the par-boiled asparagus. Return asparagus to medium heat. Toss with garlic butter, season with salt and pepper, cooking 3- 4 minutes until desired tenderness is reached.
- Crumble crispy bacon over the top and serve immediately.
Notes
Double recipe as needed to feed a crowd.
Storage: Store leftover asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Reheat: Place asparagus in a skillet and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Other Toppings: Crispy bacon adds great texture and flavor to the asparagus but if you aren't a fan of bacon, try finely grated parmesan cheese or lemon zest for a lighter side dish.
Tips for Choosing Asparagus: Look for bright green stalks with tightly closed ends. If ends are mushy or soft, discard. Thinner stalks will be more tender than the thicker stalks and generally more flavorful. Thicker stalks may require additional cooking time.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 367mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g