By Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.N., C.N.S., C.B.T.
Loaded with nutrients like folic acid and vitamin C, which help prevent hardening of the arteries, asparagus is also one of the best foods to help our bodies make glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that we need to protect our blood vessels from oxidative stress and keep our immune systems healthy. To boot, this top healing veggie is a great source of cardio-protective fiber, making it a prebiotic too.
*Choose organic produce whenever possible*
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 1 lemon, sliced in half
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Pinch garlic salt
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Wash and snap off the asparagus ends; by snapping the spears with your fingers as close to the bottom as possible, you find the natural point at which the tough, fibrous end becomes tender. Fill a sauté pan with about ½-inch water and add the asparagus spears. Cover pan with a lid and steam the asparagus on medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, or until “al dente” (i.e. firm but tender enough to bite through easily – the asparagus should still be bright green). While asparagus is cooking, peel and mince garlic. When asparagus is done, place it on a serving dish, squeeze the juice from 1/2 lemon over it and sprinkle with garlic. Add a pinch of garlic salt and drizzle with olive oil. Serves 2.
Even Quicker and Easier Asparagus Recipe
In this video, my son, Step and I make a super-quick asparagus recipe using garlic olive oil and lemon olive oil, instead of EVOO, garlic and lemon:
We steamed the asparagus – same as above, then drizzled the flavored olive oils over the asparagus. Then, we added a few grinds of natural salt blend and pepper blend (both available at Vervana.com). Voila… a delicious, nutritious asparagus in seconds!
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