Asparagus Bits: It's all about garlic

I don't worry about vampires. I tell my kids not to worry about them. I tell my family, there is NO WAY a vampire would get within 50 feet of us with the amount of garlic this family consumes. We got through pounds of garlic in a week, and if there is no garlic at a meal, I feel bereft. The flavor is so essential to family's way of dining that if cook something in garlic, Son and Daughters #1 and #2 know it will taste good. It is, in fact, one of the most common things I hear when I take dinner requests. "Mom, can you cook that green vegetable (spinach, garlic, broccoli, asparagus) in garlic?" Ahhh...music to my ears.

This dish is almost exactly the same as my recipe for Green Bean Bits and I decided to make it because Son, with all of his many allergies and food restrictions LOVES green vegetables and I make them for him at least twice a day. I decided to try it out with asparagus and it was SUCH A HIT (imagine little 19 month old with fistfuls of asparagus pieces, shoving them into his mouth). Daughters both liked it as well, and I have to say, they taste pretty darn good. They are easy to eat (for kids) and easier to make (for moms.)

Asparagus Bits with Crispy Garlic

Serves 4

1.5 lbs asparagus
8-10 cloves of garlic thinly sliced (more if you like to keep away the vampires)
2 tablespoons mild flavored oil (I like canola or can even use olive oil)
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cut off and discard the tough woody side of the asparagus. Cut the remainder into into 1/2 inch bits. The easiest way to do this is to grab a handful, line them up and slice through the bunch.

2. Heat a fry pan over medium high heat. Add oil. Add garlic and a pinch of salt. Watch VERY carefully as garlic can quickly burn. Wait until garlic is golden and then add the cut asparagus bits. Saute over medium high heat until asparagus are tender and slightly blistered, about 3-4 minutes.

3. Serve and enjoy!

Printable recipe