I have a delicious baked asparagus with Parmesan recipe that I was planning to make one evening for dinner but, when I opened my refrigerator, I realized we didn’t have any Parmesan. It also occurred to me that I was already using my oven and the baking temperatures were too different to sneak this one in and adjust the bake time. So I improvised and pulled out a skillet, melted some butter, threw in the asparagus, then looked around for inspiration. A friend of mine had just brought me some homegrown lemons. Perfect. Here’s the very simple, but delicious recipe that I came up with that night.
What makes it diabetic friendly?
Asparagus is high in fiber and low in carbs, lemon and garlic also have insignificant amounts of carbs, and all three have great health benefits, making their combination a wonderful side dish to fill up on. They also happen to taste delicious together!
Skillet Asparagus with Lemon & Garlic
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 lb asparagus spears, washed and trimmed (see tips)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp garlic powder OR 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice from 1/2 a lemon
Directions
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add asparagus spears. Cook, turning the spears occasionally, until almost softened. Add salt and pepper. If you’re using garlic powder, add it now. If you’re using fresh garlic, wait to add it until the asparagus is tender, then lower heat to medium and cook an additional 3-4 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice onto asparagus. Serve.
Tips
The easiest way to trim asparagus is to allow them to break naturally. Take one end in each hand and bend until the spear snaps. Discard the stems. Or save them (you can even freeze them) and make asparagus soup. Stay tuned for an asparagus soup recipe!
Make it a meal
- Skillet Asparagus with Lemon & Garlic
- 8oz glass of milk (1 serving carb)
- 1 cup of strawberries or raspberries or a combination of the two (try adding a touch of balsamic vinegar to jazz up your berries) (1 serving carb)
- Choose one of the following:
- Serve with a protein (making sure there are no added carbs) such as pork, beef, chicken, fish, seafood, or tofu and add a starchy side such as mashed potatoes or a whole grain roll (1 serving carb)
- Serve it with a protein/carb combination such as a burger on a whole wheat bun, or with a whole wheat pasta dish (1 serving carb)
My GD 