Kid-Friendly Sweet Asparagus Spears

I have been trying to get my boys to eat asparagus for the longest time. As a great source of vitamins A, C, and folate, I am forever trying to serve up these gems. It has often led to a battle of wills, then an ingenious act of deception on my part, but this time my children ate them in broad daylight without a fuss. I created this side dish on a complete whim and my boys loved it. My eldest said it tasted like ‘bees honey’ and after much cajoling and a promise that he could ’spit it out’ at the table if he needed to, my middle child (he’s the one that’s three), said (and I quote): “Mommy! This is not yucky!” What is my secret?

Ingredients:

one bunch of asparagus spears

olive oil

salt

one plum

1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

Directions:

I snipped the bottoms of of my spear bunch and placed them in a preheated pan with warm olive oil and a dash of salt.

While they softened I began on my sauce. I took one fresh (nice and juicy) plum and skinned, cored, and sliced it. I placed it (raw) in a mini prep food processor and finely chopped it. Then I added it to the pan along with a tablespoon of maple syrup. (Honey would work too, as would omitting it if you have a really ripe and juicy plum).

I continued cooking the asparagus in the plum ’sauce’ until the spears were completely softened. (Any crunch and my kids would have said no way!)

That’s it! This side dish serves 4-5.

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Caryn Talty

The editor of this website has a master's degree in English from Northern Illinois University and a bachelor of science degree in special education. She has taught students from early elementary school through college freshman level. Today she enjoys reading and writing about both hot topics and those not so commonly discussed on other websites. Most of her days are spent playing all kinds of make-believe with her three very young and active sons. | All articles by Caryn Talty.

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