Asparagus that tastes as good as it looks

Looking over some of my past columns, I noticed a lack of vegetable dishes. My mother and my doctor would both be disappointed.
It’s not like I don’t eat them, I just haven’t spent much time trying to find recipes that allow me to enjoy vegetables that I rarely eat. Asparagus is one vegetable that I’ve rarely eaten. I had it a few times and thought they were bitter. I began looking for a recipe that I might like.
I tried a few recipes and liked one best. The asparagus wasn’t bitter and it still had a little crispiness to it, using fresh asparagus helps.
I love garlic with vegetables so that ingredient was not optional to me, but you could eliminate that, if you don’t like garlic.
Try this easy oven roasted roasted asparagus for your next side dish. Enjoy!

Easy oven roasted asparagus
Prep Time: 10 min
Bake time: 10 min
Ready in: 20 min

Ingredients:
1 lb. thin asparagus spears
3 tbs. olive oil
1 clove of garlic minced or one teaspoon of minced prepared garlic
½ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. black pepper
1 tbs. lemon juice
1 ½ tbs. grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Prepare your asparagus by holding either end of the spear and bending until it snaps. It will snap where the asparagus starts to get tough. Throw the tough end out and use the remaining spear.
3. Place the asparagus in a 1 gallon Ziplock bag or in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Toss until well coated. Spread the asparagus onto a foil lined baking sheet (for easy clean up) and sprinkle with the parmesan cheese.
4. Bake on the center rack in the oven for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice before serving.
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