And this one is just in time for Spring! Today, we have Bethany who runs the charming recipe blog Dirty Kitchen Secrets. She’s beautiful, she cooks great food and she’s sharing her recipes with the world. Hope you’re enjoying the sun and run out and get some asparagus. -Kang.

I am thrilled to announce that I have come out of hibernation. It’s about time because I was starting to get worried about my peculiar conversations with the weather gods…

I assure you my mind is back in shape now. Well at least where recipes are concerned. Anyway, on the topic of shape, It’s almost bikini season and I’ve been wearing so many layers I’ve forgotten what my body looks like. In an effort to avoid any surprises, I have vowed to eat loads of salads for a week before taking a peak. I startle easily.
One of the salads I’ve been enjoying on this trek to bikini proof my body is an asparagus salad with truffle vinaigrette and toasted almonds.

Simply divine.

Spring is best time to enjoy these glorious veggies. When buying asparagus look for firm, crisp stalks with purple or deep green closed tips. Use within 2 days of purchase.

Here’s what you’ll need:
For the roasted asparagus
500g fresh asparagus
1 garlic clove
4 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
Toasted Almonds
25g sliced almonds
1-tablespoon olive oil
Truffle vinaigrette
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white truffle oil
Juice of half a lemon
Few Parmesan shavings for presentation

Pre-heat oven to 350F/180C/4G. Wash the asparagus thoroughly and pat dry with a paper towel. Gently bend each asparagus stalk till it snaps at the part where the woodiness begins.

Mix garlic and olive oil in a bowl

Put the asparagus in a baking dish and sprinkle with the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper

Give it a whizz

Then spread them out

Pop in the oven and cook for 10 minutes

In the mean time, mix all ingredients for the vinaigrette together. In a sauté pan, add a drizzle of olive oil on high heat

When the oil is hot enough, about 30 seconds, add the almonds and let them toast for 30 seconds on 1 side. Turn to the other side and remove off heat. The oil is hot enough to cook the other side

Now the asparagus should be done and ready to be removed from the oven

Transfer to a serving plate and drizzle with the vinaigrette and toasted almonds

Now maybe if you’re really really good I’ll make you my brother’s (AKA Stud muffin) favorite soup- Asparagus soup.

Love,
Bethx

Sometimes, the simple pleasures in Life are all we need. Check out Bethany’s blog Dirty Kitchen Secrets.

• Share This Post