This Roasted Asparagus with Soy-Sesame Glaze is absolutely delicious and it’s a healthy option for so many diets as well!
yield: 4 SERVINGS total time: 30-32 MINUTES prep time: 10 MINUTES cook time: 20-22 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb. asparagus, thick spears preferred for roasting
• 1 T + 1 tsp. peanut oil (Or use another neutral-flavored oil of your choice. Coconut oil would be delicious for this recipe.)
• 1 T soy sauce (Low sodium soy sauce is fine here; see notes about gluten-free or Paleo.)
• 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil (or slightly more if you like a strong sesame flavor)
• 2 tsp. sesame seeds, toasted

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Break one piece of asparagus to see where the woody part of the stalk starts, then cut all asparagus off at that length.
3. Put asparagus on a baking sheet and brush with the 1 T of oil, turning so asparagus is coated on both sides. (Don’t worry if you don’t use all the oil; just mix it into the glaze.)
4. Roast about 15 minutes, shaking the pan once or twice to turn asparagus over if you’d like.
5. While asparagus is roasting, whisk together the 1 tsp. oil, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
6. When asparagus is starting to get tender and barely starting to brown, remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush with the soy-sesame glaze. Then put the baking sheet back into the oven and roast 5-7 minutes more. Thinner spears will need less time and thicker ones will need more.
7. While asparagus roasts for the final few minutes, put the sesame seeds in a dry pan and toast over hot stove for just over one minute, or until barely starting to brown.
8. Remove asparagus from oven and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot.

NOTES:

Use gluten-free soy sauce if needed. To make this Paleo or Whole 30, switch soy sauce for Coconut Aminos.