Tis the season for affordable asparagus. Spring is when asparagus harvest begins, which means you can find the vitamin packed veggie in your local market for very reasonable prices right now. Our local market is selling bundles of fresh asparagus for $1.05. Just over a buck for a bundle of asparagus–now that’s a bargain.
I stocked up on asparagus yesterday and am anxious to add the spears to some of my favorite recipes, including:
CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE
Ingredients:
1 box wild rice
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup diced onion
4 stalks diced celery
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup water
2 1/2 cups asparagus cut in 1-inch pieces
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 can condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 cups shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare wild rice according to package.
In a large skillet, melt butter. Saute onion and celery for a few minutes. Season with garlic salt and pepper. Add chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil and add asparagus. Cook asparagus for 5 minutes until tender/crisp.
In a large bowl, whisk together soups, milk, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Stir in rice, chicken, water chestnuts and slightly cooled vegetable mixture. Mix well.
Spoon mixture into a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish.
Sprinkle top of mixture with cheese and almonds.
Cover dish with foil and place into oven for 30 to 40 minutes.
Uncover and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly and nuts are a little brown.
BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS
Ingredients:
2 pounds of fresh asparagus spears, washed and dried
1 pound thick sliced bacon
1/2 cups brown sugar
3/4 of a bottle Italian salad dressing
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bundle about four asparagus spears together and wrap with a slice of bacon.
Secure with a toothpick.
Make several bunches and place in a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes.
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