Asparagus with oil and garlic...
Before I begin I have to chant the mantra for all, or at least most, of the recipes which I post on this blog...this is so easy to prepare, and it is delicious and nutritious. Okay, that out of the way, this is a classic recipe for aglio e olio (oil and garlic). Most Mediterranean countries have versions of this, and nearly any foodstuff can be prepared in this manner. The classic, of course is pasta, but it is great with vegetables, potatoes, and even seafood or chicken. The key is in browning the garlic and hot peppers...it should be started in a cold pan then heated slowly until light golden-brown. At that point lemon juice is added, which forms a temporary emulsion and creates a light sauce which is literally bursting with flavor (see the two photos just below. Once you have the sauce nearly anything can be added. In this instance I added asparagus, but as aforementioned, it is applicable with a large variety of foods, especially pasta. For mare recipes cooked like this click here. The recipe which correlates with this photos is below.
Asparagus Aglio e
Olio
1 pound asparagus
¼ cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic,
minced
1 teaspoon crushed
hot pepper
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons lemon
juice
Trim the asparagus
of their tough ends, discard the ends, then set the asparagus aside.
Combine the olive oil, garlic, hot pepper, and salt in a skillet then
place it over medium-high heat. Stir the garlic and peppers in the
pan as it heats. Stir and cook the garlic continuously until it is
golden-brown, then add the water and lemon juice. Stir the
ingredients together then add the asparagus. Turn the asparagus in
the sauce, then cover the pan with a lid for just a minute or two.
Remove the lid and baste the asparagus with the garlic, oil, and
peppers. Cook the asparagus until it changes color but is still
crisp, al dente. Transfer to a plate and pour the sauce over the asparagus.
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