Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese and Walnut Lemon Gremolata

It’s asparagus time!  Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese and Walnut Lemon Gremolata is a beautiful and tasty way to showcase this springtime jewel!

I was grocery shopping for a client and saw that Kroger had asparagus for 99¢ per pound.  I practically screamed!

99¢ per pound!  With asparagus available at that price, spring had officially sprung in my world!

Once planted, asparagus takes a while to get established.  It can take three years after planting an asparagus patch for it to yield spears.  Then, one plant produces only one spear.  That’s it!  Once a spear appears above ground, you have to keep an eye on it because that one prized spear starts to open up quickly (like the one on the far right in the above photo.)  They’re still edible when they open up–just not as pretty.

Even though we have a small asparagus patch, we have to collect what it produces for a week before enjoying enough for a meal.  So I just HAD to buy…. oh, two bunches!

I LOVE roasted asparagus.  Simply roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper is a side dish that’s tough to beat.

Except here.

I give you… Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese and Walnut Lemon Gremolata!

Before doing anything with asparagus, you will need to determine where the tough bottom stem and the tender top stem meet.  To do that, take one spear and gently bend the bottom half.  The spear will break off in that spot.  Then, line up all the asparagus in the bunch and cut it to that length.  Here’s more information from Real Simple on trimming asparagus.

While the asparagus roasts, you can mix up the gremolata.  A gremolata is an Italian condiment that consists mainly of lemon zest, parsley and garlic.  I added the crunch and flavor of walnuts and mwaaaahhhh!

Asparagus loves goat cheese!  After removing the asparagus from the oven, I gave it a quick drizzle of lemon juice, then sprinkled it with goat cheese and returned it to the oven briefly just to warm the goat cheese.  After plating, top with the gremolata.

Hello spring and hope you enjoy!

Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese and Walnut Lemon Gremolata

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Prep Time 10 min

Cook Time 12 min

Total Time 22 mins

Serves 4

Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese and Walnut Lemon Gremolata is a beautiful and tasty way to showcase this springtime jewel!

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch (1+ pound) asparagus, tough ends trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Zest of 1 large lemon
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and season to taste with salt and black pepper.  Roast for 10 minutes or to desired doneness.  (If your asparagus is thick, it may take longer or require a higher temperature.)

While asparagus is roasting, combine walnuts, parsley, lemon zest, garlic and salt and black pepper to taste in a small bowl.

When asparagus is ready, immediately drizzle with lemon juice and top with goat cheese.  Place back in the oven for 1-2 minutes for the goat cheese to warm.

Transfer to a serving platter and top with Walnut Lemon Gremolata.  Serve immediately.

by Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen

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