Discover the Secret to Flavorful Asparagus: Lemon Olive Oil Steaming!
Lemon Olive Oil Steamed Asparagus is a vibrant and delicious side dish, perfect for any meal. But, have you ever wondered how just a few simple ingredients could pack so much flavor?
Table of Contents
To begin, start by washing your asparagus and snapping off the tough ends. Then, whisk together some extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create a zesty sauce that will complement the fresh flavors of the asparagus perfectly.
Next, add about an inch of water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat and place a steamer basket in the saucepan. Add the asparagus to the basket and cover it with a lid. Steam the asparagus until it’s tender yet still crisp, which should take around 5-7 minutes.
Once the asparagus is steamed, transfer it onto a serving dish. Then, pour the lemon olive oil sauce over the asparagus and serve it hot. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just looking for a healthy and easy side dish, Lemon Asparagus is sure to please everyone at the table.
Ask the Chef: Pro Tips for making Lemon Asparagus
Choose Your Asparagus Wisely
When selecting asparagus, look for spears that are bright green, firm, and straight. Avoid asparagus that looks wilted or has a slimy texture. Thicker asparagus will take longer to cook than thin asparagus, adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Don’t Overcook the Asparagus
Be careful not to over-steam the asparagus – it should be tender but still have a bit of crunch. You can check for doneness by piercing the thickest part of the spear with a fork. It should easily pierce the spear, but it should not be mushy.
Use Fresh Ingredients
As with most simple recipes, quality ingredients are key. Use fresh lemon juice and lemon zest, and high-quality olive oil for the best results.
Adjust Seasonings to Taste
Adjust the seasoning according to your taste, if you like more salt or more pepper, feel free to add more to the sauce, or sprinkle some additional salt and pepper over the asparagus before serving.
Don’t Let the Sauce Sit for Too Long
The lemon olive oil sauce tends to separate if left to sit for too long. If possible, make the sauce just before you serve the asparagus. If you do have leftover sauce, give it a good whisk before pouring it over the asparagus.
Pair it with Other Dishes
Lemon olive oil steamed asparagus pairs well with grilled meats or roasted chicken. You can also add more veggies to the steamer basket like cherry tomatoes or sliced mushrooms.
Be Creative
Don’t be afraid to experiment with other seasonings and flavors. Fresh herbs like basil, dill or parsley, or grated Parmesan cheese would all be great additions to this recipe.
How Many Calories are in Lemon Asparagus?
Nutrition Facts
4 Servings per Recipe
Calories: 90
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 80mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 4g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 2g
- Added Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 2g
What Drinks Pair Best with Lemon Asparagus?
Wine pairing: A Sauvignon Blanc would be a great pairing for Lemon Olive Oil Steamed Asparagus. The herbal and citrusy flavors of the wine compliment the lemon zest and juice and the steamed asparagus.
Beer pairing: A Belgian witbier, such as Blue Moon or Hoegaarden, would pair well with this dish. The refreshing citrus notes and light body of the beer would complement the lemon and olive oil flavors in the dish, while the carbonation would cut through the richness of the olive oil.
Cocktail pairing: As this is a recipe for a vegetable dish, it is not a suitable recipe for a cocktail pairing. However, a light and refreshing cocktail such as a gin and tonic or a vodka soda with lemon or lime could be a good complement to this dish.
How to Make Lemon Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 lb of asparagus
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the asparagus and snap off the tough ends.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to make the sauce.
- Add about an inch of water to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and place a steamer basket in the saucepan.
- Place the asparagus in the basket and cover with a lid.
- Steam the asparagus until tender but still crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the asparagus is steamed, transfer it onto a serving dish.
- Pour the lemon olive oil sauce over the asparagus.
- Serve hot and enjoy!