sautéed spicy asparagus
How spicy is this? Well Luna loves it so it isn’t thaaaaat spicy. And for the record, asparagus doesn’t make her OR my pee stink, so I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Basically what I’m saying is we are beautiful, special unicorns. And if asparagus does make your pee stink and you can’t handle it, or if you just want to eat another vegetable, this simple cooking method is great for so many things: green beans, spinach, Swiss chard, thin-cut carrots… it’s all about stirring in that butter in the end.
ingredients
1 bunch asparagus
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons chopped chives
steps
Working with one at a time, hold an asparagus stalk horizontally and bend the tough bottom of the asparagus until it snaps off. Discard the snapped ends. Cut the asparagus into 2-inch lengths.
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the asparagus, red pepper flakes, paprika, and salt and black pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, until tender-crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the butter and toss to coat. Season again with salt and pepper and serve garnished with the chives.
