2 simple asparagus side dishes

Asparagus is easy to cook and incredibly healthy. Here are two simple side dishes that feature the delicious vegetable.

• Preparation: 10 minutes.
• Cooking: 12 minutes.
• Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 500 g (1 lb) asparagus, trimmed and bottom half of stalks thinly peeled
• 1 medium red pepper, seeded and cut lengthwise into thin strips
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) balsamic vinegar
• 30 ml (1 oz) Parmesan cheese, in one piece
• 1 ml (1⁄4 tsp) black pepper

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 260°C (500°F). Place asparagus and pepper strips in a large shallow baking dish. Drizzle with the oil and toss to coat.
• Roast until crisp-tender, or 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to a serving dish.
• Sprinkle with vinegar. Toss to coat. Using a vegetable peeler, shave cheese into thin curls over vegetables. Season with pepper.

• Store fresh asparagus in the refrigerator or it will lose half its vitamin C — and a lot of its flavour — in just two or three days.

Each serving provides:

• 86 calories
• 5 g protein
• 6 g fat (including 2 g saturated fat)
• 6 mg cholesterol
• 5 g carbohydrates
• 2 g fibre
• 140 mg sodium

Roasted vegetables are an ideal accompaniment for roasted meat or poultry. When the roast goes into the oven, prepare the vegetables and place them in a roasting pan with oil and seasonings. When the roast comes out of the oven, turn up the heat and put in the vegetables.

• They'll have enough time to cook while the roast poultry or meat rests before carving.
• Turn the vegetables once or twice to brown them evenly.

• Preparation: 10 minutes.
• Cooking: 4 minutes.
• Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
• 500 g (1 lb) asparagus, trimmed, bottom half of stalks peeled, stalks cut diagonally into 2.5 cm (1 in) lengths, leaving tips about 5 cm (2 in) long
• 125 g (4 oz) snow peas
• 4 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 ml (1⁄4 tsp) salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1 small clove garlic, crushed
• 5 ml (1 tsp) grated lemon zest
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) finely chopped parsley

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add asparagus, snow peas, scallions, salt and pepper. Stir-fry until vegetables are almost crisp-tender, or two to three minutes.
3. Add garlic, zest and parsley. Stir-fry one minute.

• This green vegetable medley is loaded with nutrients that both prevent birth defects in newborns and ward off age-related diseases.

Each serving provides:

• 42 calories
• 2 g protein
• 3 g fat (including 0 g saturated fat)
• 0 mg cholesterol
• 4 g carbohydrates
• 1 g fibre
• 104 mg sodium

Pair one of these healthy side dishes with your favourite entrée for a delicious meal that's sure to impress.