I have a thing for food that looks as good as it tastes. Sure, I love a light taco casserole as much as the next person, but if we’re honest, even the best taco casseroles often look like something the cat tossed up. So when I find a recipe or even the notion of a recipe that promises ease, beauty, and flavor, I cannot pass it up.
This asparagus namul recipe is life-changing. It’s low-calorie, low-fat, nutritionally-dense, delicious, aesthetically-pleasing, and so easy you can make it drunk, naked, and in high-heels (only if you want). Asparagus is an excellent natural cure for water retention and an ideal side for or after a high-sodium feast. It’s also high in fiber, iron, and a whole host of vitamins. I spent more than a week scouring the web and my cookbooks for the perfect version. In the end, I settled on a variation of my own.
Asparagus haters love this dish; children whose mouths know more about Happy Meals than green vegetables love this dish; your mother and mine love this dish. Everyone loves this dish! So take a deep breath, buy that fresh organic asparagus you’ve been eyeballing at the market, and make this recipe. I don’t expect you to thank me later. You’ll be too busy with that third helping.
ASPARAGUS NAMUL
SERVES 1 – 2
- 2 cups asparagus, uncooked and cut diagonally into ¾-inch lengths.
- 1-1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (try the low sodium stuff!)
- 2 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
Place everything into a mixing bowl and mix with your hands! You may want to use gloves or a large spoon if your skin is sensitive. Make sure the asparagus is well-coated in the seasoning and sauce. Serve immediately or allow 30 minutes for the asparagus to soften – it’s great either way. You can store this in the refrigerator for up to two days.
CALORIES:
Asparagus: 54 calories
Apple Cider Vinegar: 0 calories
Soy Sauce: 0 calories
Sesame Seeds: 34 calories
Sesame Oil: 40 calories
Minced Garlic: 5 calories
Red Pepper Flakes: 0 calories
TOTAL CALORIES: 133 calories (150 w/optional ingredient)
