calabrese roasted asparagus

quick & easy side dish

If you ever need an easy side dish...this is it!  There's minimal effort but lots of flavour, and it can go with a lot of different things - maybe a side to fish, steak, chicken...tofu even.  You could curl them up and spear them with a toothpick as an appetizer too.  The oven roasting gives the asparagus a lovely nutty flavour and the calabrese becomes crispy and spicier.  

what you need:

• 1 bunch of asparagus
• a few slices of calabrese 
• salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

what to do:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum for easy clean up.
2. Wash and pat dry asparagus.  Trim off tough ends.  Toss asparagus with olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper.
3. Cut calabrese strips in half.  Wrap them around the bottoms of the asparagus.  Spread asparagus on baking sheet, don't let them overlap.  Bake for 12-15 minutes, until calabrese is slightly crispy and the asparagus tips look lightly charred and softened.
4. Serve immediately or at room temperature.  Enjoy!