Valentine’s Day Recipes: Asparagus Au Gratin

Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr +

Asparagus, rich in folate, is considered a “romantic” enhancing food. French bride grooms often ate several servings to get ready for their honeymoons! In this recipe, we’ve made this recipe mindfully indulgent by tossing with a little butter and garlic, and baked it with a touch of creamy Gorgonzola and crunch bread crumbs. And one portion of romantic decadence is only 100 calories!

6 Portions • 100 Calories = 1/2 Cup

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds asparagus

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

Nonstick cooking spray

Paprika

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil.
  2. Trim 1 inch from the bottoms of the asparagus stalks and discard. Cut each stalk of asparagus into three pieces, each about 2–3 inches long.
  3. Boil the asparagus for 2 minutes if pencil-thin or 3–4 minutes if any thicker. Drain and transfer to a baking dish.
  4. Add the butter, garlic, salt, and pepper to the baking dish and toss the asparagus to fully coat.
  5. Top the asparagus with the Gorgonzola cheese and then the panko bread crumbs. Lightly spray the bread crumbs with nonstick cooking spray to moisten and then sprinkle a pinch of paprika over the top, for color.
  6. Bake for 12–15 minutes, just until the bread crumbs begin to brown. Serve immediately.

Helpful Tip: If you like your cooked asparagus to have more of a crisp snap to it, pencil-thin asparagus can be made into this gratin without pre-boiling.

Share.

About Author

Leave A Reply

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY - LIVING THE SECOND ACT COMMUNITY

Receive the latest articles and exclusive discounts straight to your mailbox!

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY - LIVING THE SECOND ACT COMMUNITY

Receive the latest articles and exclusive discounts straight to your mailbox.