Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus ~ Aspargo Assado com Alho e Parmesão

Recipe by BelleoftheKitchen, Photo by Priscillakittycat

While we’re still honoring New Year’s resolutions, this recipe is oh so relevant.  Asparagus can be bitter but when seasoned and cooked properly, it’s almost exotic.  Accompanied by cheese and garlic they’re like an elegant (and healthy) version of Cheetos.

I like my asparagus a bit overcooked.  How do you like your asparagus?

1/2 pound fresh asparagus
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
3 cloves minced garlic
2-3 Tablespoons parmesan cheese
olive oil spray

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.  Rinse the asparagus and trim off woody end pieces. Spread out in a thin layer on top of the prepared cookie sheet.  Spray the asparagus lightly with a coat of olive oil spray.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Use your hands to mix the asparagus with all of the ingredients, then lay out into an even layer again. Spray with one more light coat of olive oil.

Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes (I bake for a bit longer). Remove from oven and serve immediately.

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Enquanto ainda vamos na onda de New Year, a seguinte receita de Aspargo encaixa bem com as nossas metas.  Aspargo tem um gosto amargo.  Mas quando o tempero é bom, ele faz a gente gostar de coisa amarga.  Eu prefiro o aspargo bem cozido.

250 g de aspargo fresco
1/2 colher de chá de sal
1/2 colher de chá pimenta do reino
3 dentes de alho
2-3 colheres (sopa) queijo parmesão ralado
Spray de azeite de oliva

Aqueça o forno 425F.  Forre uma assadeira rasa com papel alumínio e reserve.  Enxague o aspargo e retire as pontas duras.  Espalhe os aspargos na assadeira.  Coloque uma camada leve do spray de azeite de oliva nos aspargos.  Regue com sal, pimenta, alho e o queijo parmesão.  Use as mãos para misturar os aspargos com todos os ingredientes e espallhe na assadeira novamente, formando uma só camada.  Regue com mais spray.  Asse no forno pré aquecido durante 8 minutos.  (Eu deixei mais)  Retire do forno e sirva.

 

2020 ~ Ain’t Life Grand

Photo by Priscillakittycat

The New Year began well.  My white dress (white is the color of choice for Brazilians to welcome a new year) zipped all the way up and I could still breath.  We had a delicious Paella (made by mom) for dinner on New Year’s Eve, in the company of family and close friends.  And on New Year’s Day we awakened to a gorgeous clear, cloudless blue sky and soothing breeze.  All the Florida birds were out on the calm water, including a pretty Pelican scooping up his first meal of 2020.

There were three lovely desserts on the table when I came downstairs for breakfast.  Party hats and confetti strewn about.  I could have cut a slice of each dessert and sat on the couch to savor them while the others slept…but I resisted the urge and pulled open the refrigerator door…then the produce drawer.  The chocolate cake came to mind for a brief second.  Ginger, strawberries, passion fruit, carrots, celery, raspberries, blueberries and water all into the Magic Bullet.  It’s all about first impressions.  On the first of the year, I want to make a good first impression for my stomach.  Here you go, my friend.  A healthy treat for you.

Hope 2020 is like this.  Self care.  Small victories.  No rush.

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2020 começou bem.  O vestido branco abotoou e ainda pude respirar toda a noite.  Jantamos (uma Paella deliciosa feita pela mãe) entre amigos e familia.  Um ar de paz e amor.

Miami amanheceu com o céu azul mais bonito como se quizesse dizer…estou aqui para recompensar por todos os dias de chuva que vieram antes.  As aves nativas da Flórida sobrevoando as aguas calmas.  Apareceu um pelicano para a sua primeira pesca do ano.

Desci para tomar o café.  Na mesa encontrei três sobremesas.  Quase me entregei ante a tentação…mas ao inves disso abri a gaveta da geladeira.  Amora, morango, gengibre, aipo, maracujá, cenoura e agua…coloquei tudo na Magic Bullet.  Ahhh, consegui.

Que 2020 seja assim…Um ano simples, tranquilo e de pequenos desafios.