Recipe courtesy of Vegetarian Times, www.VegetarianTimes.com

Here, an Asian-inspired marinade brings a balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy to blanched asparagus. 

Serves 6

Ingredients

3 lb. fresh asparagus, trimmed

⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari

⅓ cup rice vinegar

3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)

2 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger

1 Tbsp. agave nectar or honey

Pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

1 Thai bird chile, seeded and thinly sliced for garnish, optional

1. Cook asparagus in pot of boiling salted water 5 minutes.
2. Drain, and plunge into bowl filled with ice water.
3. Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, oil, garlic, ginger, agave nectar, and cayenne.
4. Pour over asparagus in large baking dish, adding water, if necessary, to submerge asparagus.
5. Cover, and chill 4 hours, or overnight.
6. Drain off marinade, and arrange asparagus on plates or serving platter.
7. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chile slices, if using.

Per serving (8-10 spears):
Calories: 51
Protein: 3 g
Total Fat: 2 g
Saturated Fat: <1 g
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 202 mg
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 2 g