Spring Delight
Hello, hello! Hope you’re having a great Friday night…ours has been low-key, which is just what I wanted.
One of the things I most look forward to when spring rolls around is asparagus. I feel like asparagus is one of the foods that most effectively proves why it’s a good idea to eat according to what’s in season. Have you ever had asparagus in winter? Ugh! Bland, bland, bland! But April and May roll around, and suddenly the slender stalks are tender and full of delicate flavor. Asparagus is one of those foods that, to me, is only worth eating while in season.
Luckily, it’s asparagus season right now! We made good use of it in tonight’s dinner:
Fusilli with Asparagus, Corn, and Sweet Peas
This dinner couldn’t have been easier. While the pasta was cooking, I cooked half a pound of trimmed asparagus, 3/4 cup corn, and 3/4 cup sweet peas in about 1/4 cup of olive oil. This dish only took minutes to whip up—simple, fast, and delicious!
We topped it with grated parmesan
. And if you’re wondering, that isn’t white, refined pasta (perish the thought!!!). It’s gluten-free quinoa pasta!
We bought this on sale at our health food store a while back, and decided to give it a try. It was good! It was really, really chewy—almost like pasta that was ultra al dente, or even a bit undercooked. But, I like my pasta with a little bite (al dente means “to the tooth, after all), so I was a fan. I like whole wheat and semolina pastas better, but if you were trying to eat gluten-free, I think this would be a good option!
It is raining cats and dogs outside (Oscars and Georges?), so we’re in for the night. Hope your weekend is off to a great start!
Beautiful colors that all go so well together. Happy weekend!
I tried quinoa pasta (a different brand) and REALLY liked it!
what a great combo of flavors. sounds perfectly spring-y to me!!!
Yum. Gotta try the pasta… been wondering if it was any good. And, asparagus is not only tasty, but very well-rounded in nutrition.
You pics need to be in like Martha Stewarts magazine. Girl. Serioulsy. Get outta teaching and get into photography…you are talented!!! not that i dont love teachers but just sayin, ifyou ever need a backup plan
Awww, you are so sweet! Thank you! Trust me, I would take that job in a second…now Martha just needs to make the offer
Asparagus is fantastic. However, ours still comes from California so I still got to wait a bit until we get some local asparagus..
Quinoa pasta is fantastic, I love it too.
Your place settings are always so beautiful!
Ooh Quinoa pasta, that sounds fun!
Hmm asparagus..I so want to like it cos it’s so fancy and healthy, but I just don’t really…alas!
Have a good day
Asparagus was my vegetable splurge this week! I’m excited to make something with it. Your pasta creation looks amazing!
I’m a little intrigued by this quinoa pasta. I’m not a huge fan of pasta mostly because I don’t think it tastes like anything. Wonder if I’d like this one
To be honest, I thought it had LESS flavor than regular pasta! Have you ever tried the Ezekial brand pastas? I really like them– they have a lot of flavor and CHEW.
I would love to get my hands on that pasta!! Your spring recipe looks fantastic with peas and asparagus and corn- yummy ! Thanks for the post!
I haven’t had quinoa pasta yet…the corn pasta is my favorite so far, which tastes more like regular pasta! I haven’t had pasta in ages, maybe I need to have some soon…:)
Asparagus is definitely one of my favorite veggies!!! Hmmm I’m not sure if I’d like that past, I’m not really an al dente type of gal. My favorite pasta is probably brown rice pasta, so good!!
Beautiful dinner as usual, agreed on asparagus! I’ve never tried that pasta, but am curious and may need to pick some up.
Yum, that sounds good!!!! Oh I love spring…
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The pasta sounds interesting buuut I like my pasta super done (yeah, I know, the horror
That dish looks so incredible. I have been really craving asparagus lately. Gorgeous flowers too by the way.