Tender, smoky, and sweet, this grilled asparagus is best served on a generous pillow of cilantro pesto, a healthy 15-minute side dish.
- 1 bunch of asparagus, about 1 1/2 lbs. (medium-thickness stalks)
- 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt
- fresh ground pepper
- 1/4 cup finely minced red onion
- 1/4 cup toasted pepitas
Cilantro pepita pesto
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup toasted pepitas
- 2 tsp. sea salt
- 1 jalapeno (keep a few seeds for heat)
- 1/4 tsp. chipotle powder, to taste
- one large bunch (about 4 super packed cups) of cilantro, ends cut, the stem is fine
- juice of two large limes
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- splash of water
Heat your grill, or indoor grill, over medium heat.
Cut off the dry bits of the asparagus and use a vegetable peeler to gently shave the end stalks. Toss the asparagus in the olive oil and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Grill the asparagus, covered, turning a few times, for about 7-9 minutes. Time will vary based on the thickness of the stalks. I like mine on the snappy side.
To make the pesto, pulse the garlic, toasted pepitas, and sea salt in a food processor to chop. Add the jalapeno, chipotle, cilantro, and lime juice and run the processor to combine. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive and a splash of water. Taste and adjust as you wish. Add more chipotle for heat, citrus juice, and/or salt to brighten it, and water if you prefer it thinner.
Serve the asparagus on a generous pillow of cilantro pesto. Garnish with the minced red onion and toasted pepitas. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Source: sproutedkitchen.com