Lemon Almond Asparagus

Name: Lemon Almond Asparagus
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter; 5 teaspoons lemon juice; 2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed; 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted; Lemon peel strips, optional

I love this time-saving way to dress up fresh asparagus. Drizzle butter and lemon juice over the spears before topping them with almonds and lemon peel. —Linda Barry, Yakima, Washington

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
5 teaspoons lemon juice
2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Lemon peel strips, optional

Directions

Melt butter; stir in lemon juice. In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add asparagus in batches; cook 2-4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and place on a serving plate. Drizzle with butter mixture; top with almonds and, if desired, lemon peel.

Editor's Note

To toast nuts, bake in a shallow pan in a 350° oven for 5-10 minutes or cook in a skillet over low heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 78 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.

Originally published as Lemon Almond Asparagus in Quick Cooking November/December 2002