10 mins Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus And Peas

Sauteed vegetables, like roasted potatoes and beans or sauteed eggplants with tomatoes, are the easiest dishes to make in just a few minutes. They are versatile; you can serve them as a side or add them to other dishes like salad, simple plain cooked pasta, etc.

Here, you will learn to make roasted asparagus and peas in just 10-15 mins.

What is so special about this dish

• It is a quick and easy recipe that needs simple and a few ingredients.
• You will hardly need 15 mins. to prepare it.
• Very flavorful.
• A healthy and vibrant dish, perfect for serving at a party.
• Versatile - either serve it as a side, add it to the pizza, flatbread or salads.

Ingredients

• Asparagus: Get fresh and firm asparagus. When you bend the stick, it should break and not curve. This is a sign that the asparagus is fresh and not stored very long after harvesting. Also, buy organic ones whenever possible.
• Peas: You can use fresh or frozen peas, and both will work in this recipe. When using frozen peas, it is best to thaw them before cooking.
• Lemon: It adds a slight tanginess to the dish, which makes it more delicious. If you are using an organic lemon, you can also add some lemon zest to add more flavor.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic and avoid packaged/preserved chopped garlic. Even a little bit of fresh garlic makes these peas and asparagus delicious.

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Preparation tips

• Asparagus: Rinse under running water, drain, and trim the thick ends. Then cut into 2" long pieces.
• Peas: If it is frozen, rinse under warm water and let it thaw for sometime.
• Garlic: Peel it, cut it in half lengthwise, and then thinly slice it. You can also finely chop or mince it.

How to make roasted asparagus and peas

See the recipe card below for the exact time, nutrition and a print version of the recipe. Here, learn step-by-step instructions with a pictorial presentation.

Step 1 - In a large frying pan, cook sliced garlic with some oil until golden brown.

Step 2 - Add peas and asparagus and saute for a couple of minutes. Cover and cook on low heat until asparagus is tender, or cook until you get the desired texture.

Step 3 - Remove the lid, add lemon juice, salt and pepper; mix to combine. Serve warm.

Serving suggestions

• Side dish - serve warm sauteed asparagus and peas as a side to pumpkin risotto, healthy chicken parmesan, pesto chicken sandwich, etc.
• Toppings on pizza or flatbread - add them as a topping to homemade healthy pizza, whole wheat flatbread, or even to this whole wheat focaccia bread.
• Add on to salad - it is perfect for enriching salads like Italian whole lentil salad and avocado cucumber salad. Just let it cool down completely before adding to the salad.

Make asparagus and peas pasta

Add one more step to the recipe and prepare delicious asparagus-pea pasta. While the veggies are cooking, boil your favorite pasta. Drain and reserve ½ cup water. Add cooked pasta and some pasta water to roasted asparagus and peas. That's it—a healthy pasta dish is ready for lunch or dinner.

Helpful tips

• Use a cast iron pan. It heats up evenly, and you can get a nice roasted color and texture to the green peas and asparagus.
• Remember to trim the thick woody side of the asparagus. Some may have really thick ones that will not cook nicely.

Recipe variations

• Make it spicy - Add red chili flakes or paprika while adding other seasonings.
• Add more veggies - Add different diced veggies like bell peppers and squash to make it more vibrant and nutritious.
• Make it cheesy - Add crumbled feta cheese or parmesan cheese at the end.
• Make baked asparagus and peas - Combine asparagus and pea kernels with salt, black pepper, oil, and lemon juice; mix well. Spread the mixture evenly in one layer on the baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 400F for 10-15 mins.

Storage and reheating

Store - store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for about 2 days.

Reheat - saute in the skillet until steamy hot or microwave for 1-2 mins., depending on the quantity.