No blanching necessary for this quick and easy Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe. This Italian side dish is ready in just ten minutes by simply sauteing the asparagus with lots of garlic. The addition of lemon juice to the sauteed asparagus brings all the flavors together.

The arrival of spring ensures blossoming fruit trees, tulips and of course asparagus! What a wonderful time of the year to enjoy this Sauteed Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe.

A simple, classic Italian side dish.

Do you ever wonder why the simplest of foods always seem to taste so good?

The secret is simply to use fresh ingredients. Mediterranean cooking exemplifies this concept.

Whether it’s the olive oil, the freshly picked tomatoes or the homemade pasta made with the best semolina flour…the combination of just a few simple ingredients will often result in an unforgettable explosion of flavor.

When asparagus is simply prepared, it’s “herby” and woodsy flavors are highlighted. Freshly picked asparagus will soon make an appearance in the farmers’ market. I would encourage you to encourage your local farmers. Make sure to pick asparagus with tips that are compact and tight. Always look for a bright green color and the spears should be firm to the touch. In other words, asparagus should not be flexible. When you grab the bottom and the middle part of each stalk, and try to bend it, it should break naturally. If it doesn’t, the asparagus might not be as fresh as you think.

If you are not using your asparagus right away, remove any elastic bands or ties wrapped around the base or the head of the stalks. Wrap your stalks in damp paper towels and place loosely in a plastic bag. You should try to use them within 2 days of purchase to ensure maximal freshness.

Asparagus are considered to be nutrient powerhouses-packed with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber! They can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried, roasted or even barbecued. Their versatility allows them to be used in countless ways in so many recipes. Today, I wanted to share this Sauteed Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe. It’s one of the easiest, quickest and tastiest methods I have of preparing this awesome vegetable.

Origin of Sauteed Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe:

With all of the rituals associated with spring, my upbringing also had its’ share. I can still remember all the excitement associated with Easter! The day would begin by attending Easter Mass…my grandmother would spearhead this activity…she would round up her grandchildren and we would walk to the church. Our neighborhood church was a very simple building. But if  you live in Montreal, you know that there are so many historical churches which are truly architectural gems.

Easter also meant I would finally be allowed to wear my brand new “spring” dress and coat. This was a springtime ritual initiated by my mom for my sister and I. Regardless of the weather, we would always wear our new spring outfits.

Easter Day also meant we would finally be allowed to have all the wonderful baked goods my mom and grandmother had been preparing for the entire week. (Still to this day, my all-time favorite being the Rice Ricotta Easter Pie). And where there is food, people will gather! And so it was that family and friends would come over to celebrate Easter and I was ready because I had my pretty little dress on 🙂 This Sauteed Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe would often be served at lunch as one of the contorno (side dish) along with the rest of the meal.

Wishing all of you a Buona Pasqua, Happy Easter,  Joyeuses Pâques and a Happy Spring!

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Sauteed Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe

Spring is a wonderful time of the year to enjoy this Sauteed Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe. A simple, quick Italian side dish. Ready in 10 minutes.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Keyword how to saute asparagus, sauteed asparagus, sauteed asparagus recipe

Prep Time 4 minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 124kcal

Author Maria Vannelli RD

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus fresh, 15 spears, bottom trimmed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
• 3-4 garlic cloves minced
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon freshly squeezed
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon Romano or Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the olive oil.
• Add asparagus and saute for about 3-5 minutes (should be crisp tender).
• Add minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat.
• Add lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• Toss to combine.
• Sprinkle with cheese and serve hot.

Notes

Total time of cooking must be adjusted to the size of the asparagus.

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 17.1% | Vitamin C: 8.5% | Calcium: 4.5% | Iron: 13.8%

Thanks for dropping by.

Ciao for now,

Maria 🙂