Paula Roy: Whole Foods in Half the Time

Jun
25
2015

Asian Inspired Grilled Asparagus

Spice up your spears with this zippy marinade

by: Paula Roy
Asian-inspired Grilled Asparagus

I find a mix of sweet, spicy, sour, and salty – common in many Asian cuisines – is a perfect companion to most vegetables. Sending asparagus on quick trip through this zippy marinade followed by a few minutes on a hot barbeque is all you need to prepare a flavourful side dish that just might have your family reaching for seconds. Choose asparagus spears that are uniform in thickness so they will cook evenly. You might be pleasantly surprised to find your kids develop a fondness for asparagus prepared this way - the sweet-salty combo is usually a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp chili paste
1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-fre version)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
20 spears fresh asparagus
Lime wedges, for garnish

 

Directions

Combine the brown sugar, lime juice, pepper, chili paste, soy sauce, olive oil, sesame oil, water and garlic.

Snap the woody ends off the asparagus (here’s a video in case you don’t know what I’m talking about).

Place the asparagus in a single layer in a non-reactive dish (or a ziploc bag).

Drizzle the marinade over the spears and jostle them gently so they are evenly coated.

Let asparagus sit for 15 – 30 minutes.

 BBQ over hot coals or on gas grill set to medium hot for 5 minutes or until done. Some spears may cook faster than others so check often. 

Serve with lime wedges.

Serves 4

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