Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

It's been a while since I posted a recipe but finals are over and I'm not sick anymore, so I'm back in the kitchen =]  I have been craving asparagus for quite a while and it was on sale at Wal-Mart last week so I picked up two bundles for dinners this week. I love asparagus for many reasons; its not only delicious and low in calories, but it's sooooo QUICK and EASY to make! You literally heat up some oil, throw in the asparagus and let it cook itself for 15 minutes while you occasionally stir it around. EASY right??

Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

1 bundle asparagus spears, trimmed
1 Tbs. minced garlic
2 Tbs. olive oil
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste


1. Prepare asparagus spears (See preparation instructions below)
2. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat
3. Add asparagus and toss the spears around in the oil to coat evenly
4. Salt and pepper to taste (I also throw a little garlic salt over them sometimes - optional)
5. Cook asparagus for approximately 5 minutes, stirring and rotating occasionally
6. Add minced garlic, continue to stir occasionally and cook for another 10 minutes (or until the thick ends of the spears become tender)
7. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of the spears and cook until melted (about 1 minute)


Serve warm

How to prepare asparagus:
Rinse the spears in warm water. Then remove and discard the tough ends by either using a knife to cut off a few inches or you can 'bend' each stalk until it breaks at its natural breaking point. (I prefer the bending method to ensure that you are left with the most tender parts of the asparagus with minimal waste)

Baked Veggie Kabobs

Kabobs are a healthy and quick side dish to any meal. They even make a great meal all on their own if you add marinated chicken, beef or pork to the kabobs. Today I decided to make veggie/fruit kabobs as a side dish. I used green and red peppers with chunks of fresh pineapple and cooked them in the oven but they are also delicious on the BBQ. This time, I didn't season my kabobs with anything because veggies have great natural flavor, but you can also baste them with your choice of marinade or sprinkle with your favorite seasoning. I highly recommend Lawry's Herb and Garlic marinade if you choose to baste the veggies before you cook them.

Some veggies that work well for kabobs include: red and green peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, red potatoes and any other veggies that you would like to use.

Fruit kabobs are also delicious and don't require any cooking. String bananas, strawberries, apple slices, grapes, pineapple and any other fruit on a skewer and serve for a healthy snack or side dish. Kabobs are so easy and so much fun to make with the family. Each person can personalize them and make them however they want.

Baked Veggie Kabobs


1 pkg. bamboo skewers
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1 fresh pineapple
(other fruits or veggies of your choice)


1. Soak skewers in water for at least 30 minutes or over night, if possible. This helps keep the skewers hydrated and will prevent them from catching fire while cooking
2. Chop pineapple and red and green peppers into 1 inch cubes
3. Thread onto skewers, alternating veggies and pineapple
4. Place wire cooking rack on top of a cookie sheet and arrange kabobs on cooling rack
5. Broil 6 inches from heat for approximately 10 minutes, turning kabobs after 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them as they can burn quickly.


Serve immediately.