Summertime walks

Another summertime specialty in my house throughout childhood was fresh asparagus.  My mother was known for walking a two mile county road and picking the fresh asparagus that grew wild alongside the road, hidden between overgrown brush and next to corn fields.  As children, we always wanted to accompany her on these walks because it meant riding your bike outside the neighborhood -- such a treat!  As we grew older, we were allowed to go with her during some of the summertime walks and help her hunt for asparagus. 

In Mexico, the asparagus is usually a hit or miss.  Sometimes the crops are great and other times they are already turning bad by the time it gets stocked on shelves.  It's always a pleasure to see fresh asparagus and even more of a pleasure when prepared with this recipe.  Enjoy!

Baked Asparagus

Ingredients

1 bunch asparagus
salt
pepper
PAM cooking spray
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons soy sauce

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Arrange asparagus on baking sheet in single layer.  Season with salt and pepper.  Spray with PAM. 

3. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

4. Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat.  Brown butter as much as you can before it starts to burn.  Remove from heat.  Add in balsamic vinegar and soy sauce.  Stir.  Pour over baked asparagus for a tasty sauce!

Bon appetit!

It's simple, healthy, and tastes great!  This is a winner!