Asparagus is loaded with vitamin K and folate. It cooks quickly and is an easy, nutritious side dish. This recipe includes sesame oil and soy sauce to give the asparagus a flavorful twist.

Yield: 4 servings

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tsp dark sesame oil
• 1 tsp honey
• ½ tsp low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ tsp unseasoned rice vinegar
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed
• 1 tsp black sesame seeds
• 1 tsp white sesame seeds

Directions

1. In a small dish, whisk together the sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garlic powder. Set aside.
2. In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus. Move the stalks around the pan as it cooks. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until bright green and slightly tender.
3. Remove the skillet from the heat, and pour in the sesame oil dressing. Toss to coat the asparagus. The sauce will blacken in places on the stalks.
4. Place the asparagus on a serving platter, and sprinkle with the black and white sesame seeds before serving.

Lori Rice, M.S., is a nutritional scientist and author with a passion for healthy cooking, exercise physiology, and food photography.