Asparagus Gives You Energy

Asparagus is nutrient dense, extremely healthy, and provides you with a lot of energy!

The green variety of this vegetable is the most common, but there are other varieties. The white variety is grown under ground so it doesn't turn green and has smoother and thicker spears. Viola is the purple variety which turns green when cooked and is rarer to find.

You can purchase this vegetable frozen or canned year round. The peak season for fresh product is February through June.

When purchasing this vegetable, choose the bright green stalks with taut tips. You can store it in the refrigerator in a sealed container or plastic wrap for three to four days.

To cook asparagus, you can break the ends off and submerge the stalks into boiling water with a little salt added. Then reduce the heat and let them simmer for about five minutes or until tender.

You can serve them with olive oil drizzled over them, or my favorite, Hollandaise sauce.

Nutritionally, three medium spears of asparagus are 10 calories and provide protein, dietary fiber, Vitamin C and folate.

Asparagus Health Benefits

Healthy Recipe - Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce

Cooking the Asparagus

Break the ends off and immerse the stalks into boiling water with a little salt added.

Reduce the heat and let them simmer for about five minutes or until tender.

Ingredients for Hollandaise Sauce

   - 2 egg yolks
   - 1/2 cup butter
   - 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
   - 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions for Hollandaise Sauce

1. In a double broiler, melt the butter over simmering water.
2. Beat the egg yolks and add the butter. Stir constantly.
3. Add the lemon juice gradually.
4. Cook and stir until it's thick and hot.
5. Add the salt to taste and serve over the asparagus spears.

Vegetable Harvest by Patricia Wells brings the flavor and techiques of French cuisine into your kitchen.

Her recipes include vegetables, nuts, herbs, furits, and legumes.

She includes nutritional information for each recipe and they are very easy to follow and do.

If you like potatoes, one of my favorites is Lemon Roasted Potatoes with Bay Leaves.

The Vegetarian Family Cookbook by Nava Atlas is an excellent resource for great tasting vegetable recipes.

Because it is a vegetarian cookbook, you'll find exceptional recipes that are simple and easy to prepare and the ingredients are found at your local market.

If you have children and need some help getting them to eat their veggies, this is very kid friendly.

She has some great recipes for kid's breakfast meals and great lunches you can pack for them.

"Achieving A Healthy Lifestyle For Women's Health and Fitness"