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polenta with buttered asparagus

Polenta with Buttered Asparagus

Anna Chwistek
Sautéed garlic butter asparagus over Parmesan polenta makes a quick springtime dinner. Serve with a fried egg and lemony basil oil for a fresh meal in about 20 minutes.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2
Calories 630 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 7 ounces asparagus thin spears
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 20 basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp pine nuts
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 2 eggs
  • grated Parmesan for serving

Polenta

  • 4.5 ounces instant polenta
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 ounces grated Parmesan
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Snap off any woody exterior from the bottom of the asparagus. Cut the asparagus in half lengthways.
  • Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add pine nuts, toast until golden, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Remove from skillet.
  • To the same skillet, add olive oil and butter. Add asparagus, sauté for 5 minutes or until tender but still crisp. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in garlic, cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove skillet from heat and stir in basil. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Set aside, while you make the polenta.
  • In a saucepan, bring vegetable broth and milk to a boil. Slowly whisk in the polenta, stirring continuously, about 2-3 minutes, over low heat. Turn off the heat. Stir in Parmesan, salt and black pepper. Add butter and stir to combine. Cover and let stand for 1 minute. If the polenta thickens too much, thin with some additional milk or water. Add more salt and pepper, if needed.
  • In the meantime, melt a little butter over low heat in a non-stick skillet and fry the eggs. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Divide polenta among bowls, top with asparagus and eggs. Sprinkle with basil oil, toasted pine nuts and, if desired, some extra black pepper and grated Parmesan. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 630kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 22gFat: 54gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 248mgSodium: 1080mgPotassium: 593mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 2420IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 469mgIron: 4mg
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