Asparagus with Garlic and Pistachios
Greetings food adventurers! We are back to the Westlands today (Wheel of Time) to enjoy the spring asparagus during its short season. The absolute best roasted asparagus can be found in Murandy, paired with a very sharp lemon garlic sauce and locally grown pistachio nuts. It’s super easy to make, too!
We travel through Murandy on a wagon to enjoy the scenery and rolling hills, and stop at The Nine Horse Hitch in the capital city of Lugard to enjoy this treat. It’s served fresh and hot, alongside a golden roasted chicken with a large mug of lightly spiced wine. This is a very noisy place, with all the singers choosing very bawdy lyrics rather than the ones we normally hear. That might be a boot-print on our table from an especially boisterous dance move. Maybe just the one meal here before continuing the journey.
A quick recipe note – normally 1 clove of garlic means 2, but this is not cooked, so try it with 1 first unless you really REALLY like garlic. Also, be sure to share with everyone at your table!
(This inn is visited by several main characters in “The Fires of Heaven”, book 5 of the Wheel of Time – anything I could link to has spoilers so no extra links today.)
Asparagus with Garlic and Pistachios
Ingredients
- ½ cup pistachios shelled
- 1 lb fresh asparagus any color
- 2 tsp + 2 Tbsp avocado oil divided
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice about 1/2 a lemon
- 1 to 1 ½ cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp dried basil any color
- ¾ tsp table salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- sliced lemon to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spread the pistachios on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 4-7 minutes, or until toasted and fragrant. Keep an eye on them so they don't burn. Remove from the oven and immediately remove to a plate or bowl, and set aside.
- MEANWHILE, prepare the asparagus – wash all the spears, and snap the woody ends off. (no need to use a knife for this, and it's a great activity to keep little hands busy if you have kids who want to "help")
- Turn the oven up to 400 degrees F.
- Spread the asparagus in a single layer over 1 large baking sheet. (if they are crowded, they will steam instead of roasting)
- Drizzle the asparagus with 1-2 tsp oil and use your hands to make sure the spears are coated.
- Roast in the oven for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your asparagus.
- While the asparagus is cooking, in a small bowl whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper. Whisking constantly, drizzle in the remaining 2 Tbsp oil.
- Chop the cooled pistachios, if desired.
- Plate the asparagus, drizzle with the dressing, and sprinkle with the pistachios. Serve immediately while it is warm from the oven.
