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Home » Recipes

Braised Asparagus (That Your Family Will Actually Eat)

I am on a mission to get my kids to like asparagus. You see, I planted my very first asparagus patch, and when I can finally harvest the spears next season (you have to wait for 1 to 2 years for the plant to get established first), they will definitely be making a regular appearance on our spring dinner table!

Asparagus in Garden on 100 Days of Real Food

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I am very excited about my new asparagus plant!

Now, similar to homegrown tomatoes, homegrown asparagus is light years above the store-bought stuff. However, even if you can't grow your own, you'll still love any asparagus you can get in this new braised asparagus recipe...and so will your family!

Since my 12-year-old is especially disgusted by asparagus, my goal here was to completely disguise it so that it did not look at all like typical spears, and to also include some flavors that she could not resist. So, I sliced them thin (in my food processor) and added one of her favorites...bacon! Bacon makes everything better, right? And, while I'd like to say she scarfed this one down with a smile on her face, she did at least eat three bites without totally gagging—that is progress, and I will take it, people! The rest of my family loved it though, so this one is a keeper in my book.

Braised Asparagus (that your family will actually eat) on 100 Days of Real Food

A Tactic for Picky Eaters

One of my favorite tactics with picky eaters is to make new foods in different ways until you find a winner. That was precisely what I was hoping to do with this dish, and I was happy about the tiny bit of progress! In fact, I think I'll try this one again soon and add some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top (another favorite of hers). One thing that is for sure, I will not give up easily on my younger daughter and asparagus anytime soon—poor thing, LOL.

Braised Asparagus (that your family will actually eat) on 100 Days of Real Food

Braised Asparagus

Get picky eaters to eat more veggies with my new Braised Asparagus recipe.
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Course: Sides
Cuisine: American
Diet: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free, Picky Eaters
Print Recipe
Servings: 4 people
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed)
  • 1 large shallot (or 2 small, trimmed and peeled)
  • 2 slices bacon (diced, plus extra for garnish (optional))
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt (to taste)
  • black pepper (to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Fit a food processor with a slicing blade and feed the asparagus and shallot through the feed tube until they are thinly sliced.
  • Heat a skillet (with a tight-fitting lid) over medium heat and add the bacon pieces. Cook until brown and crispy, while stirring, 4 to 5 minutes. 
  • Add the asparagus and shallot to the skillet, cook for another minute while stirring, and then pour in the water and balsamic vinegar. Cover with the lid and let steam for about 2 minutes. Take off the cover and let cook for another minute until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the asparagus is tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Braised Asparagus
Amount Per Serving
Calories 76 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 7mg2%
Sodium 87mg4%
Potassium 269mg8%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 850IU17%
Vitamin C 6.8mg8%
Calcium 27mg3%
Iron 2.5mg14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. Amy Spencer says

    May 11, 2019 at 12:11 pm

    Have you ever tried grilled (or broiled, in winter) asparagus? Basically everyone I know who's tried it has fallen in love with it, including my kids and my little sister who used to hate asparagus. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle on a bit of kosher salt. Grill (or broil) about 10 minutes, until well browned. The slightly-charred tips are the best!

    Reply
  2. Jessica Alyea says

    May 08, 2019 at 2:26 pm

    White asparagus is so much better than green but I don't know if you can get it in the states. Here in Germany, asparagus season is the best part of spring! So many delicious recipes

    Reply

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Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

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