SERVES 4

Total Time: 15 minutes
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES
WALK·AWAY TIME: 10 MINUTES 

From Robin Miller. If you've never tried roasting asparagus, now's the time to preheat your oven. Roasting brings out the sweetness of the asparagus and caramelizes the exterior. This is excellent with chicken, beef, pork, fish, pasta, and even egg dishes such as quiche, eggs Benedict, and omelets.
••
Cooking spray
1 large bunch asparagus, woody bottoms trimmed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Arrange the asparagus on the sheet and spray them with the cooking spray. Brush the vinegar all over the asparagus and season with salt and pepper. Roast until crisp-tender and golden brown, about 10 minutes.

PREP POINTER:
To remove the woody ends from asparagus, hold each stalk by the ends and bend until it snaps where it wants to. To save time, do that with one stalk and then use that stalk as a guide to line up the remaining stalks-slice the ends with a sharp knife.

GOOD HEALTH note: 
Asparagus beats all other vegetables when it comes to folate, providing 60% of the RDA in one 5.3-ounce serving. Asparagus is also a good source of potassium and fiber.