Baked Asparagus Tips

1 Bunch of Asparagus

1/4 Cup Olive Oil 

1/4 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs

Rinse a bunch of asparagus and pat dry on a paper towel. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Snap off the top 3 to 4 inches of each stem. Place bread crumbs and olive oil in two small bowls. Dip the asparagus tips into the olive oil and then into the bread crumbs and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes at 350 degrees. The bread crumbs should be golden brown and the tips should be firm. Use medium to large asparagus. The thin stalks wilt too quickly in the oven.

The reason asparagus are so healthy is because they are one of the most well-balanced vegetables on the planet. Asparagus are not only low in calories and high in folic acid, they are also a good source of potassium, fiber, thiamin, and vitamins A, B6, and C. Asparagus can be enjoyed raw or cooked; preparation time is minimal. I sometimes cut them in 1” pieces and boil them with pasta when using a pesto seasoning. 

No matter how you eat them, you will enjoy the following benefits of asparagus: 

• An excellent source of glutathione; a detoxifying compound that helps break-down carcinogens and protect cells from free radicals. This is one reason why asparagus are seen as a good food for cancer prevention.
• Asparagus are high in antioxidants, which also protect the body against free radicals and may help slow the aging process.
• Prenatal care – Folic Acid to help prepare a healthy environment for the fetus to grow.
• A natural source of the amino acid asparagine, a natural diuretic which helps release fluids and rid the body of excess salts. For some women, asparagus can help relieve the water-retention associated with PMS.
• The high levels of vitamin A in asparagus can help keep vision healthy.