Kary Osmond: Grilled asparagus is a delicious summer side

Kary Osmond, karyosmond.com

I went to a friend’s house for dinner recently, and one of the side dishes she made was marinated and grilled leeks. Her recipe was so simple: Toss halved leeks in olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder and freshly cracked black pepper, and grill until tender and sweet.

This marinade is versatile; it will work on most veggies that work well on the grill such as peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, onions and, my favorite, asparagus. And with asparagus in season right now, this is the perfect recipe to enhance its sweet flavor.

Asparagus on the grill can be tricky; there’s a good chance you’ll lose a few to the fire. If you have a grill pan, use it. If not, another way to make flipping asparagus simple is to skewer asparagus in bunches like you’re making little rafts.

Grilled Asparagus

Serves 4

  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

2. In a roasting dish, combine olive oil, garlic powder, soy sauce and pepper. Add asparagus, toss to combine.

3. Place asparagus on the grill, cook, turning once until tender crisp, about 8 mins. Enjoy hot or at room temperature.

Tasty tip

If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the asparagus in a roasting pan in a preheated 450-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

(Kary Osmond is a Canadian recipe developer and former television host of the popular daytime cooking show “Best Recipes Ever.” Her easy recipes include helpful tips to guide you along the way, and her love of plant-based cooking offers healthy alternatives to some of your favorite dishes. Learn more at karyosmond.com.)

Categories: Food