Side Note: Asparagus with some Oh!

Kicking off a new segment here at TPC. It's called the "Side Note". In this we hope to explore some quick and easy side dishes that can stand alone (with a glass of wine of course) or compliment many of your favorite main dishes. I'll try to keep the whole section as short as possible (though I DO love to hear myself talk...or write in this case)

This surprising little side dish can be whipped up in about ten minutes and will be sure to inspire your guests to give off a slight, "oh!" as they gobble it down. We turn to the asparagus to be the star of this side. Asparagus, an easily recognizable green high in vitamins, dietary benefits and antioxidants, has a very unique taste and can often take the lead in any dish it is added to. Knowing this we are just going to let it stand on it's own here with some lovely spices to play off it's unique taste. But enough..keeping this short....Let's Prep.

Here's What You Need:

• 1 Bunch fresh Asparagus
• 1-2 Garlic Clove sliced
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Sea Salt and FG Pepper to taste
• Half a Lemon

Heat the olive oil (just a couple of quick swirls from the bottle) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Throw a pinch of the red pepper flakes and a turn or two of the fg pepper to infuse the oil with some wonderful spice. Add the sliced garlic and asparagus, salt and another fg pepper turn or two; cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until asparagus is tender. It should have little hints of dark color letting you know she's ready for plating. Turn off the heat, squeeze a little lemon juice on the asparagus and serve it right up.

Great with beef and pork dishes OR cut up the asparagus, toss with pasta (and a little pasta water) and some freshly grated parmesan cheese and you're golden.

WINE NOTE: As this is somewhat Italian in it's background, let's do an Italian wine with it. You could go with either a Barbera or Primitivo both which compliment really well with a dish that has a little kick to it. Or get fancy and have a Franciacorta, which is a sparkling wine from Lombardy

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC,