The asparagus is coming! The fresh vegetable season has finally arrived, and it’s time to get your green on. As we head into springtime in Canada, you might be eating from the garden depending on where this year was for growing fruits/veggies outside (maybe not so much near Toronto). There are plenty of opportunities in Ontario: May-June to Pick Your Own at various farms across southern Ontario.
The Health Benefits of Asparagus
This vegetable is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that are essential for our health.
Asparagus is low in calories but high in fibre, which makes it an excellent food for weight loss. It is also a good source of vitamins A, C, and E and folate. Asparagus also contains antioxidants, which can protect our cells from damage.
Did you know you can freeze Asparagus?
The grilled asparagus tastes so good that it’s hard to believe there is no cooking sauce. The perfect balance of flavours and textures makes this dish an experience!
Also, you can see our Red Wine Asparagus Recipe for another option
What’s great about having a great sauce is you can add a little or a lot to your plate – You can simply leave it to add as you please at your family dinner.
The ingredients are mostly what you will have in your seasoning cupboard or spice rack; if you have some Sesame Seed oil, Mayonnaise and soya sauce (or fish sauces), this recipe is sitting right here waiting for a call-out.
Sesame Seed Oil – The New Secret Ingredient in Your Kitchen
This underrated ingredient has been used in Asian cuisine for centuries and is only now gaining popularity in the West. Here’s what you need to know about this delicious oil.
Sesame seed oil is made by pressing sesame seeds to extract the oil. It has a nutty taste and is often used as a finishing oil, meaning it is added to a dish after it has been cooked to enhance the flavour. Sesame seed oil is also a good source of Vitamin E, which can help support healthy skin and hair.
One of the benefits of using sesame seed oil in your cooking is that it has a high smoke point, which means it can be heated to a high temperature without burning. This makes it ideal for stir-frying or deep-frying. The sesame seed oil also pairs well with other flavours, such as ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.
About Rice Vinegar
There are many different types of vinegar, each with its distinct flavour profile. While balsamic and apple cider kinds of vinegar are pretty standard, rice vinegar is a bit more obscure. However, don’t let its lack of name recognition fool you—rice vinegar is a culinary powerhouse that can add a unique depth of flavour to any dish.
Rice vinegar is made from fermented rice and has a milder, sweeter flavour than other types of vinegar. It’s commonly used in Asian cuisine but in various dishes ranging from salad dressings to marinades. When shopping for rice vinegar, look for brands that say “unfiltered” or “unpasteurized” on the label—these products will have a more robust flavour.
One of rice vinegar’s most popular uses is in making sushi rice. and salad dressings.
An easy to make a recipe for a great side dish of Asparagus! Enjoy the Chinese taste for this Asian side of way of creating a great vegetable side dish.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of Asparagus
- 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 and a 1/2 Tbsp of Sesame Oil - ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
- Salt
Instructions
- Heat grill to 400 degrees, spray with non-stick spray or line with foil or if baking use 425 degrees on your oven
- Simply trim the ends from the asparagus.
- Toss your asparagus with olive oil and approximately 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Sprinkle with salt.
- Place asparagus on the grill for 8-10 minutes turning halfway through or If roasting spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- While your asparagus is cooking – In a medium size, bowl mix together mayo, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder and approximately 1 tsp sesame oil. Mix with spoon until well blended.
- Remove asparagus from the grill or oven.
- Drizzle generously with sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately
