You guys. . it’s April 1st?! We’re officially in spring. . woot woot!!! And April 1st is my wedding anniversary so happy anniversary to me and Paul! (and no, I am not joking).
Spring, for me, means two things: in-season yummy spring vegetables and spring cleaning. And I’m excited about both.
I cannot get enough asparagus these days . . it’s my fave spring vegetable, not only for it’s looks but also for how versatile asparagus is .. and delicious.
I blanch them, sauté them, roast them, bake them. . and yesterday, these babies were literally my dinner. Like, this was all I ate. Because I ate almost the entire bunch.
For dinner. Because they were soooo good.
Have you guys ever roasted asparagus with lemon zest? This was my first time doing it and now I’m wondering what the hell took me so long. I got the idea from my friend, Jen, who always squeezes a little fresh lemon juice over her veggies when she roasts them. I usually just use extra virgin olive oil and kosher salt, and no pepper if it’s for the kids.
The lemon zest is magical.
Magical! and delicious.
Easter is on Sunday and I’m making this again, only this time, I’m roasting 2 lbs. of asparagus. One pound for me and one for everyone else.
I love this time of the year .. the weather is gorgeous, the sun is out and kids are actually playing outside. It’s also just a few months before summer so we try to tidy up and get organized around the house. I started with my pantry towards the end of last year and then it kind of stopped there.
But now I have some of the best OXO cleaning and organization tools for my kitchen!
Can I tell you how excited I am for this compost bin?! I’ll admit it, I used to compost all the time when I lived in Washington but ever since moving here to Wisconsin, I haven’t done a thing. And do you know how much I cook?! and how much I could have composted? Thank goodness I have this compost bin from OXO now. No more food scraps in the garbage over here! I’m so excited!
OXO also sent me this Good Grips Expandable Utensil Organizer!
I love how large it is and the adjustable dividers help you organize more utensils in less space by allowing them to fit in opposite directions in one compartment. You can also adjust the location of the dividers to accommodate utensils of different shapes and sizes, or remove the dividers completely for open compartments.
Completely customizable! I love it!
And there’s even room for all my extra OXO gadgets and kitchen tools!
The other OXO kitchen organization tool I got that I am in love with is the Foldaway Dish Rack! We totally needed a new dish rack and one that features a plate rack that holds plates or bowls neat and upright, and is safe for delicate dishware, like my favorite plates that I use all the time when I photograph. The ones that I always hand wash! When the plate rack is folded down, it leaves the middle of the Dish Rack open to accommodate large bowls, cookware, and more. The convenient cup racks hold cups, mugs or wine glasses inside the rack to prevent dripping on the counter.
Since we just got home from Dallas, I haven’t had a chance to get my kitchen sink organized, but that is on my list for Friday!
Have you finalized your Easter menu yet? If not, you’ve got to add my Roasted Asparagus with Lemon to your menu! You will be so glad you did. Trust me.
- 2 lbs. asparagus, tough ends removed or broken off
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Lay your asparagus on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Drizzle on the extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle on some salt and freshly ground pepper. Lastly, sprinkle on the lemon zest over the asparagus (you can just use your grater/zester right over the asparagus).
- Roast until the asparagus is tender and just turning golden, for about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!
Disclosure: I was selected to be a part of this campaign (#OXOSpringCleaning) through OXO’s Blogger Outreach program. This is not a paid post. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Happy anniversary to you and Paul! And hooray for Spring. This roasted asparagus looks delicious and yum! And I guess it’s time for some Spring cleaning at home 😉
Thank you, Linda!!! yes spring cleaning indeed!! After the kitchen, I don’t want to look at the rest of the house!
Happy anniversary! I cannot BELIEVE you got married on April Fools’! That’s totally the best thing I’ve heard in a while. Hope you do something special today!
It has never occurred to me to put lemon zest on asparagus and now I want to try it immediately! Roasted asparagus is already super addictive, and I’m sure this makes it even more delicious!
oh my gawd, Mir. . it’s SO delicious. . you need to try this!
oh and yes. . when our friends got the wedding invitation, they all thought it was a joke. . apparently, my husband needed a day that he wouldn’t forget!!!! 😛
This is such a perfect way to do asparagus! It would be such a great side for Easter!
Thanks so much, Tori!!! Yes, making this again on Sunday for sure!!!
Happy Anniversary hon! What a great day to celebrate! It looks like beautiful weather. And I recently just started getting into asparagus so I seriously will try this dish.
I hope you do, J!!! It’s soooooo delish!! It’s amazing what lemon zest can do! and thank you!!! 🙂
Aaw yay! Happy happy anniversary to you and Paul! Hope you guys have a great time celebrating! I love roasting and grilling asparagus but have never tried adding lemon zest before. That sounds amazing!!! Love that idea! Yay for spring cleaning 🙂
I’m so glad we’ve finally made it to April! And I just can’t get enough of asparagus, either. This lemon version sounds amazing, Alice! I’m definitely trying this the next time I make asparagus!
I am asparagus-obsessed too these days – I firmly believe that if I eat enough pretty spring asparagus that pile of snow in my driveway will DISAPPEAR. Sigh. I haven’t tried it with lemon though, and that sounds so perfect for Easter! Pinning. 🙂
Happy Anniversay, Alice! I can’t get enough of asparagus and love to roasted it with lemon or garlic. So good! I definitely need to check out that OXO compost bin too, great idea!
Totally digging this simple and delicious spring recipe, Alice! I love lemon anything at this time of the year, and I am dreaming about how good the lemon + asparagus combo would taste. Happy Easter!
Happy Anniversary, Alice! Loving this lovely springtime dish…Fresh asparagus is one of my favorites!
Happy anniversary! I think if we were getting married on April Fools my fiance would have WAY too much fun with it 🙂 I adore the asparagus+lemon flavors, they just make me think that spring is almost here! Have a wonderful day Alice xo
I love that utensil organizer! I’ve been looking for some to fit the drawers in our new house. And roasted asparagus is always a win. Love that you added lemon zest. I will be cooking asparagus too on Sunday while family is in town. I can’t wait to try your recipe! Oh and Happy Anniversary!
Happy happy to you and Paul! And to asparagus…my favorite vegetable, too! I love it roasted or grilled. It’s only 8am and I want this!
Happy Anniversary!
This is my favourite way to eat vegetables and it’s actually on of the recipes that will be in my book 🙂
I love roasted asparagus, and adding lemon to it sounds absolutely perfect!
Oooh Lemon Zest and asparagus sounds heavenly – such a great idea, Alice!!! I never thought to combine the two before! GAH! And, happy, happy anniversary to you and Paul!
Oh my gosh, I’m dying to try that asparagus! Lemon zest is genius, girl! And that compost bucket. I need that. I started composting a few months ago, and I love it! But I use an ice cream bucket without a cover. Thanks for sharing this!
Well happy anniversary to you! I bet you got a lottttt of April Fool’s jokes on your wedding day. Haha! These asparagus look perfect! My favorite spring vegetable.
Happy Spring! Happy anniversary! Happy delicious asparagus!
You are too cute, getting married on April 1st – I love it! And Happy Happy Anniversary!!! This asparagus with lemon looks delicious and like a quintessential spring recipe!
Roasted asparagus is the best! And I love the added lemon zest, looks yummy!! 🙂
Love all the pics, this recipe is the perfect weekday side dish! Happy Anniversary!
Love the lemon zest in this — such a great idea! Happy Spring Alice!
Happy Anniversary Alice!!! And these asparagus look so fresh and delicious! So glad Spring is finally here 🙂
I love asparagus, but never thought about adding lemon to it. What a nice, light flavor it must give it.
Happy belated anniversary!! I pretty much want to eat ALL THE ASPARAGUS ALL THE TIME, so this simple way to prepare it sounds perfect!
Woot! Happy anniversary! And YES, isn’t the weather fabulous?! I literally went around yesterday and opened up ALL the doors and windows just because it was so nice outside. 🙂 Yay for asparagus season too! I’ve seriously been eating it every single day for the past week. Can’t stop, won’t stop. 😉 This looks so amazing with all that lemon goodness!
Asparagus with lemon is one of my favourites! Perfect recipe for spring! 😀
Happy Anniversary! I hope you and a nice time celebrating. Love all the OXO binds and storage ideate too!
I roast asparagus all the time but definitely haven’t thought of adding lemon zest to it yet! Need to try it with my next batch! I’ve been stalking you on IG, and it looks like you had a wonderful time in Texas!
In season yummy veggies and spring cleaning are top of my to-do list!! And I love asparagus. Now I need to try roasting them with lemon zest!! Love these!!
Don’t mind me, just wiping away the drool over here 🙂 I adore asparagus too and get SO excited when I see it at the store each spring–it means winter might truly end someday! Love the idea of putting lemon on this. What a lovely pairing!
Haven’t tried asparagus yet in my life, but now thanks to your super recipe it seems a good time to start! Thanks 🙂
Happy Anniversary!!! What a perfect dish to ring in spring – I can’t ever get enough asparagus this time of year. And this is my favorite way to prepare them – simple, quick, and a wonderful zip that compliments the asparagus perfectly!
My parents live in Verona and I know the city used to have a program where they sold compost bins for your yard at a discounted rate. Not sure where in the Madison area you are but they might have a similar program.
The asparagus looks great! Can’t wait for the farmer’s market to come back in a couple weeks 🙂
I am getting a ton of use out of my compost bin! Asparagus trimmings and more! Your recipe is perfect for a weeknight, but elegant enough for Easter. Love it. Happy Easter to you and your lovely family, Alice!!!
I am with you Alice – I can eat a pound of asparagus myself! This sounds so simple and so bright with flavor.
Happy Anniversary!
The asparagus looks lovely.
I could eat that my entire life!! xx
Thank you so much, Kim!!!