Sautéed asparagus, a spring side dish with fresh seasonal asparagus, flavorful and tender. Just a few minutes are all it takes to prepare an excellent side dish with fresh asparagus, quickly cooked in a pan with garlic and chili pepper. Whether cultivated or wild, asparagus is rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and should not be underestimated for its vitamin C and iron content. They are low in calories and cholesterol-free, so consume them in quantity as they are good for you, and the fiber they contain helps keep our intestines healthy. I love collecting wild ones when I am at my mom’s house; from March to May, you can pick the tender sprouts that emerge next to the older plants. But when I can’t collect them, I buy the cultivated ones, which are just as good. Let’s see how to cook them quickly in a pan for an excellent side dish or to use as a base for a delicious asparagus frittata. Also try the asparagus risotto.
Here are many other quick side dishes in the pan
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring
Ingredients for 4 People Sautéed Asparagus
- 1.1 lbs asparagus
- to taste olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste chili pepper
- 1 clove garlic
Tools for Preparing Sautéed Asparagus
- 1 Pan
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Knife
Steps to Prepare Sautéed Asparagus
We start by cleaning the asparagus; simply cut off the tough base. If the removed part is tender, cut less; if it’s tough, cut more.
Cleaned Asparagus
Wash the asparagus and cook them in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a splash of water. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.
Prepare a garlic clove by removing the central core, which can be indigestible. Mince a fresh or dried chili pepper, depending on what you have available.
Garlic with the core
Occasionally check the pan to see if there is still any liquid, and if needed, gently stir the asparagus with a spatula.
When they are almost ready and dry, add garlic and chili pepper and let them flavor for a few more seconds.
When the asparagus is soft and golden, they are ready. It will take just a few minutes. Serve as a side to meat or fish, or with eggs, either fried or boiled. You might also use the asparagus to make a delicious frittata or to fill a focaccia.
