Mean Chef's Asparagus with Orange Sesame Butter

Elevate your side dish game with Mean Chef's Asparagus with Orange Sesame Butter—a vibrant, flavor-packed recipe that pairs tender-crisp asparagus with a zesty, nutty, and buttery glaze. This dish begins with perfectly blanched asparagus, ensuring a bright green hue and delightful crunch. The magic lies in the orange sesame butter, a luxurious blend of melted butter, fresh orange zest and juice, toasted sesame oil, and a splash of soy sauce. Finished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, this dish offers a harmony of citrusy brightness, savory depth, and nutty richness. Perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday feasts, it’s a versatile side that can be served warm or at room temperature. Whether you're entertaining or enjoying a quiet meal, this recipe is a showstopping addition to any table. Keywords: asparagus recipe, orange sesame butter, vegetable side dish, citrus glaze, gourmet side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups ice

Directions

Step 1

Trim the woody ends of the asparagus by snapping or cutting the bottom inch off. Rinse and set aside.

Step 2

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add a pinch of salt to the water.

Step 3

Blanch the asparagus by adding it to the boiling water and cooking for 2-3 minutes, until bright green and tender-crisp.

Step 4

Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with 2 cups of ice and cold water. Remove the asparagus from the boiling water and immediately submerge it into the ice bath to halt the cooking process. Let it sit for 1 minute, then drain and pat dry with paper towels.

Step 5

In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the orange zest, orange juice, toasted sesame oil, and soy sauce. Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and slightly thickened.

Step 6

Add the blanched asparagus to the saucepan with the orange sesame butter. Toss gently to coat evenly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter, and pour any remaining orange sesame butter over the top.

Step 8

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the asparagus for garnish.

Step 9

Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy your flavorful dish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1045.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	600.2

Total Fat 56.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 124mg	0%
Sodium 1410.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 23.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.1g	0%
Total Sugars 11.2g
Protein 12.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 212.0mg	0%
Iron 11.0mg	0%
Potassium 1053.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 77.9%

Protein: 7.6%

Carbs: 14.5%