Seasonal snacking: Tasty asparagus recipes

Asparagus, a powerhouse veggie, full of antioxidants, folic acid and vitamins A, C, E and K, is in season. Here are some ways to incorporate this nutritious green veggie into your diet:

1) Baked asparagus fries

Ditch the deep fried potatoes in favour of these much healthier baked asparagus fries. They take only 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes to bake and have only around 150 calories per serving.

2) Ginger chicken stir fry with asparagus

This recipe is perfect for any runner who enjoys Chinese food, but is looking for a healthier take. We recommend opting for brown rice.

3) Lemon orzo salad with asparagus, spinach and feta

This dish is yummy hot or cold, making it a good option for saving leftovers for lunch the next day. For those unfamiliar with orzo, it’s a rice-shaped pasta. Lemon, asparagus and leafy greens make this a fresh springtime option.

4) Asparagus quiche with spaghetti squash crust

We’ve heard of using spaghetti squash as a pasta alternative, but the author takes innovation a step further by using the hearty vegetable as the crust for this asparagus quiche. This dish is made to impress for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

5) Lemon asparagus quinoa

Olive, garlic, a bit of lemon juice and asparagus are all that are needed to flavour this quinoa dish. This recipe is another great option for making ahead and packing for healthy lunches midweek.

6) Roasted asparagus with blood orange

Simple, healthy and sure to impress–what more can you ask for from a healthy side dish?

7) Asian asparagus slaw

This might just be the prettiest salad we’ve ever laid eyes on, with tons of julienned veggies and a sprinkling of sesame seeds and cashews for crunch. To make a meal of it, you can add a protein source like stir-fried chicken, shrimp or baked tofu.

8) Cucumber noodles with asparagus and sesame slaw

This dish is a surefire way to get your daily dose of greens. Plus, the fact that it is gluten-free, egg-free, vegetarian, vegan and paleo, with no sugar added means you can pretty much serve it to anyone!

9) Grilled asparagus salad

Since a recent study has come out demonstrating that eating eggs on your salad will help your body absorb the carotenoids in vegetables, this asparagus salad features a fried egg on top.

10) Pistachio-crusted asparagus with feta

This recipe makes for a simple-to-make but gourmet-grade side dish. With crunchy pistachios, creamy feta and fresh asparagus, this is a dish made to impress.