It's Time For...Asparagus!

HAPPY Friday :D
I hope you're having a good AND healthy week! Are you doing anything special for Mother's Day this weekend?! My mom doesn't live close but she's the best person EVER! I really miss and appreciate her this time of year!!

One of the foods that signal the start of Spring is the appearance of fresh asparagus at local markets and grocery stores! Wooo Whooo!! I love love love the taste, texture, and benefits of asparagus! 
Asparagus is a very good source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.
Asparagus is packed with antioxidants, ranking among the top fruits and vegetables for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. This, according to preliminary research, may help slow the aging process. Bring it on!

The following are a few ways to put a  tasty spin on asparagus :)

- Blend a springy soup. Trim the tips from a pound of asparagus and roughly chop the stalks. Blanch all the pieces in salted water for 30 seconds and chill in ice water. Reserve the tips and blend the stalks with 2 cups of dashi (a Japanese cooking stock; look for it at Whole Foods Market), a teaspoon of miso, and a dash of soy sauce. Top with asparagus tips and slices of grilled crabmeat.

- Put an egg on it. Saute asparagus and chopped portobello mushrooms in olive oil with salt and pepper until tender, about 5 minutes. Dress with a vinaigrette of lemon juice, olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper, and chopped black olives and scallions. Add a fried or poached egg on top.

- Make a salad. Combine Meyer lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped chervil and shallots. Reserving a few tablespoons, toss a half pound of arugula or watercress with dressing. Blanch a pound of trimmed asparagus spears for 2 minutes, shock in ice water, and pat dry. Top the salad with asparagus, reserved vinaigrette, salt, pepper, and shaved cheese. Garnish with slices of grilled lemon and chopped nuts.

If you happen to be cooking on Mother's Day, why not try 1 of the recipes above?! 
If you have any comments OR yummy asparagus recipes, I'd love to hear from you!!

Have a FABULOUS weekend!
If you're a mom, I hope you get treated like a ROCK STAR!!
See you on Monday :)