Grilled Asparagus Over Caramelized Onions
Asparagus was a special occasion side dish for my family when growing up. Maybe because my mom preferred to work with canned and frozen veggies (and canned asparagus is disgusting), or maybe because it’s more expensive than others–whatever the reason, mom only trotted out the asparagus on holidays and other special days.
As a result, I love asparagus. I love it steamed and baked and grilled. I love it plain, with just a little salt and pepper. I love it jazzed up with citrus and balsamic vinegar. I just plain love it.
This dish is simple. It’s easy to make, requires few ingredients, and the flavors are quiet. The sweetness of the caramelized onions and the crunch of the asparagus take center stage. Nothing fancy here, but it tastes gourmet anyway.
If you’ve never caramelized onions before, be aware that it takes a long time (minimum of 30 minutes, often closer to 45). Patience is key; the onions need to be stirred every few minutes to make sure they don’t burn. But the work pays off: caramelizing brings out the natural sweetness of the onions.
I used the same grill pan for both the asparagus and the onions. I did the onions first, shoving them to one side when they were almost done, and then threw the asparagus onto the grill. This helped the taste of the onions fuses to the skin of the asparagus, melding the flavors together.
This dish is a great side to fancy up a dinner. At least, I think so. I ended up eating it as an appetizer, because I just couldn’t wait until the rest of my dinner was ready. 🙂
Hi Natalie, I found your blog through “a farmer in the dell”. Scrolled through your entries and can I just say YUM! And your photos are fabulous! Did you take them? I like meat but I like veggies more and it’s really hard to find really good, down home veggie recipes. Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to read more!
~Ceci in DC/VA
Hi, Ceci. How much do we love “a farmer in the dell”? One of my favorite blogs. 🙂 (For those not familiar: http://www.afarmerinthedell.com)
Thanks for the compliments; I did take the photos myself. That’s my dining room table you’re staring at. 😀
Glad you found me,
Natalie
I love grilled asparagus too. Lovely photo!
[…] If you’re looking for a little something on the side (hehe–couldn’t resist that pun), there are lots of options here. How about something simple and elegant like my Rosemary Wine Root Vegetables? Or my Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes? If you’ve got kids at the table, my St. Patrick’s Potatoes are a guaranteed hit–and a great way to get some green vegetables into their diet. And don’t forget to top them with my Mushroom Gravy. Or, if the weather’s nice where you are and you’re ready to fire up the grill, try Grilled Asparagus over Caramelized Onions. […]