Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Garlic, and Shallot Butter

This is a sponsored post for Loblaws Companies Inc. All opinions are my own, as always. Thanks to all the companies, and readers, who help support Cravings of a Lunatic.

Oven roasted asparagus cooked to perfection, then topped with a simple lemon, garlic and shallot butter. Simply delicious and perfect for any night of the week!

Asparagus is one of my favourite vegetables. I used to turn my nose up at it when I was a kid. Then my sister made some for me a few years ago and I fell madly in love with it. She made hers very simply, roasted with just a hint of butter and salt. I was smitten immediately.

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It just so happens that Asparagus is this month’s Share the Food Love ingredient . Once a month a group of Canadian bloggers cook up fabulous recipes featuring an ingredient chosen by Loblaws. I was thrilled when I got the alert that this month would be asparagus.

I knew I wanted to make a simple recipe that really showed off the asparagus as purely as possible. Not only because I prefer simple recipes, but I wanted people to see the beauty of this vegetable. Not only does it taste absolutely incredible, but it’s a gorgeous vegetable choice.

So I chose to mimic the recipe that my sister made for me years ago. The one that hooked me on asparagus for life. So I roasted the asparagus in the oven as simply as I could. Then I made a very simple flavoured butter to pour over top. It’s just olive oil, lemons, shallots, garlic, and butter.

Asparagus is a wonderful spring vegetable, it’s actually a perennial. We used to grow it at our old house. Our new place does not have a garden. So whenever I need some fresh Ontario asparagus I head to the store to pick some up. I usually try to buy a few batches at a time.

Any time I see young asparagus I’ll buy even more. The smaller shoots are the best, they burst with flavour. They really are my favourite but I never turn my nose up at asparagus, not matter what. When it’s in season I eat it constantly. Pretty much every single day. Without fail.

The larger shoots are still good, just be careful to avoid ones that are too old. They get a woody quality to them. You can help with that by peeling the outer layer if needed. Or just buy when they are fresh and perfect. I always test mine in the store to see how much snap they still have.

Once I have all my asparagus safely at home I preheat my oven before I even get my coat off. I’m always so excited for the first batch of spring asparagus. I start prepping ingredients immediately so I can start noshing on the asparagus as soon as humanly possible.

Before I share the recipe be sure to follow Loblaws on Instagram. You can also find more asparagus recipes on their site. There’s also information on their site about seasonal cooking and where to buy in-season foods.

Loblaws has an Instagram contest happening. You can enter for your chance to win your next grocery shop at their store, value up to $250! Information below!

Loblaws Share the Food Love Instagram Contest:

• Follow @LoblawsON on Instagram!
• Ensure your Instagram account is set to public!
• Upload an original picture to your Instagram page that highlights the monthly Food Alert Item, this month is ASPARAGUS!
• Include the campaign hashtags #WeLoveFood and #ShareTheFoodLove!
• Tag me if you enter @cravingsofalunatic! I’d love to show my support for anyone who enters!

Now onto the recipe! Hope you make this one as soon as possible. Spring asparagus is only available for a short time!

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Print

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Garlic, and Shallot Butter

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

20 mins

 

Oven roasted asparagus cooked to perfection, then topped with a simple lemon, garlic and shallot butter. Simply delicious and perfect for any night of the week!

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Asparagus

Author: Kim Beaulieu

Ingredients

For roasted asparagus:

• 1 bunch asparagus ends snapped off
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste

For the Lemon, Garlic, Shallot Butter:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 shallots diced finely
• 1/4 cup butter cold, cubed, divided
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Garnish:
• Sliced lemons

Instructions

For roasted asparagus:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
3. Snap or cut off the ends of the asparagus.
4. In a large bowl or container combine the asparagus and olive oil. Toss until all the pieces of asparagus are coated well.
5. Transfer asparagus to sheet pan and spread out in one even layer.
6. Place in oven and cook for between 10 to 14 minutes, depending on how well done you like your asparagus.
7. Remove from oven and set aside until butter is ready.

For the Lemon, Garlic, Shallot Butter:

1. I typically start my butter while the asparagus is in the oven so it times out well and everything is hot when served.
2. in a medium pan (I prefer cast iron) combine the olive oil and lemon juice. Start to cook over medium heat. Add shallots and cook for a few minutes, just until the start to turn golden brown, but aren't crisp yet. Add butter in 3 stages, stirring or whisking in between each addition. Add garlic, cook 1 minute more. Remove pan from heat and pour over asparagus.
3. Garnish with lemon slices if desired.

 So yummy!

You need to make this immediately, while asparagus is still fresh!!

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Toodles! xx