Make Ahead
Absurdly Addictive Asparagus
Popular on Food52
334 Reviews
Kochumol
July 8, 2024
I have made this several times, following the recipe as it is. Comes out very well.
sharon
March 29, 2024
Unbelievably delicious and a hit with guests! Super easy and the combination of ingredients is pure genius!! Hats off to whomever came up with this recipe.
Ann22
June 20, 2023
Seriously delicious, super fast and easy and so bright and flavorful. Don’t skip the the lemon and orange zest - adds so much brightness. A new favorite. Husband asked that I make this again soon.
hart0926
November 20, 2022
Was a bit disappointed…a lot of prep with expensive ingredients for a meh result. Next time I’ll just roast the asparagus and toss with a little bacon or pancetta afterward.
Melissa C.
October 11, 2022
I’ve been making this for years and it’s a home run every single time. Easily my favorite vegetable side. Perfect.
NancyJ
May 12, 2022
Delicious AND gorgeous! Did not have leeks but I did have shallots. Soaked in cold water, patted dry and sautéed before adding asparagus. Outstanding! This serve 3 asparagus lovers or 4 normal people. As there are 2 of us, used the leftovers the next evening in risotto - just cut those spears into 1” pieces and add at the end. I left out the pinenuts - although picking them out was a little messy, it was worth it.
KC
May 8, 2022
At the moment in central NC, we are lucky to have good harvests of asparagus and leeks from the garden, so this was a great recipe to use. The flavor combination was wonderful. I made this to pair with hot-smoked salmon from the grill and brown rice and quinoa pilaf, and it was the perfect Mother's Day dinner. Everyone raved about the asparagus dish. It didn't hurt that we also had fresh garden ripe strawberries to finish it all off!
bethwatson
April 24, 2022
What a unique and delicious recipe! I prepared it as written, then added some gnocchi to make it an entree, and it was a challenge not to eat the entire pan! It was buttery and flavorful; a perfect marriage of crunchy and smoky with sweetness from the leeks and a punch of citrus from the lemon and orange zests. Superb!
philofood
April 22, 2022
This stuff is the whole reason to anticipate asparagus season like it's a second Christmas. I don't even LIKE asparagus, and I love this stuff like crazy. Have made it for friends and family and get raves every time.
HulaGirl1570
June 21, 2021
Quick and easy. I didn't have pancetta and used bacon. It was too greasy. Next time I'll cook the bacon on it's own and crumble in. The lemon and orange zests made the taste pop.
Heather P.
October 7, 2020
Is this adaptable to make a salad?
Elizabeth D.
October 7, 2020
Of course! Anything can be adapted to make a salad. This would be delicious over bitter greens like arugula, add a little quinoa and toasted pine nuts. It'd be delicious. Keep the dressing simple, good quality extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, and a squirt of lemon juice.
Your imagination is your guide.
Your imagination is your guide.
Lisa M.
September 21, 2020
An absolute family favorite! This is a recipe that you can pull out for special guests and it will be the talk of the table. I’ve made it at least four times in the last two weeks and there’s never a stalk left.
Marielle
April 22, 2020
Wow! This is definitely a new quick and easy dinner staple my house! Thank you!
slickrock
April 21, 2020
First review I have submitted online. Had to say how extraordinarily good this recipe is! Only change was porkchetta for pancetta. This awesome dish was so great we ate immediately, then made 3 more times this week. Combined left over roasted sweet potatoes with asparagus in skillet, then added eggs cooked until yolks were custard like. Wow! New breakfast favorite! Thanks for this most incredibly flavorful dish!
margaret S.
April 21, 2020
Today I made this with what I had, and it was delicious. I used green beans, garlic, scallions, lemon rind and roasted walnuts. My husband doesn't do porky meats so we didn't include that.
OldGrayMare
April 19, 2020
THE best...we have been known to stand at stove and demolish the pan right then and there! (Um...more than once)
Rebekah F.
February 19, 2020
I have made this several times now. Mostly with asparagus, but have used green beans, also. The last time (last night) I made it, I halved it and that was my dinner..just this. I have, on occasion, just squeezed some lemon juice over when I was too lazy to zest. I have made it with and without orange zest...either way, it is delicious! I also remove the pancetta when sauteing the veggies and adding it back at the end, so that it is fairly crispy. One of these days, I will put it over some pasta, for a more robust dinner. But last night, just this was enough. Sigh...happy girl :-)
Robyn P.
November 18, 2019
I made this for a Friendsgiving and substituted green beans since I couldn’t find good asparagus (the spears at Whole Foods were gray and sad-looking). It was fantastic! The only other change I made was substituting Sweet Earth “bacon” for the real stuff since I don’t eat meat. Would also consider making with marcona almonds instead of pine nuts. This has earned a permanent spot on my T-Day menu!
Cheryl
November 18, 2019
What a great idea to sub green beans! When I made it, I omitted pancetta (vegan) and it was still scrumptious.
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