Roasted Asparagus with Blood Orange

February 23, 2014 • Recipes, Seasons, Side Dishes, Spring, Vegetarian

Weather: 25 degrees, stars twinkling
What I’m listening to: Love and the Hunter from the Downton Abbey Soundtrack

I was recently invited to begin writing a weekly food column for the Anchorage Daily News. It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to introduce myself and my recipes to a new audience, and at the same time, try to develop ways to extend the style and voice of my blog onto the pages of the Sunday newspaper.

IMG_9783On occasion, I will share recipes that I develop for my Anchorage Daily News column here on the blog (so that you don’t miss anything!), like this citrus-season stunner: Roasted Asparagus with Blood Orange. Enjoy!

Roasted Asparagus with Blood Orange

A simply beautiful roasted asparagus side dish made with blood orange and rosemary.

Yields: 1 pound asparagus

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 blood orange or lemon
  • salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Snap any thick woody root ends off of the asparagus shoots. Lay the asparagus in a single layer on the parchment paper and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle with fresh rosemary leaves. Toss to coat.

On a cutting board, slice the blood orange in half. Take one of the halves and slice it very thinly, so thickly you can see through it. Place the orange slices around and underneath the asparagus. Take the remaining half of the orange and squeeze some of the juice over the asparagus, reserving some of the juice to squeeze over top just prior to serving. Season the entire pan generously with salt and pepper.

Roast for 15-20 minutes until asparagus is browned and crisp-tender, turning the asparagus halfway through cooking. Squeeze fresh blood orange juice over top just prior to serving. Serve hot.