Asian Style Sauteed Spinach and Asparagus

Here is another easy preparation that uses both spinach and asparagus. This is an Asian inspired dish that will having the masses asking for seconds and thirds.

Other ingredients that could be included into this recipe might include bok choy, carrots cut on the bias, celery cut on the bias, long beans, green beens and broccoli.

The key to this recipe is the sauce and proper preparation of the veggies that should be cooked to a crisp tender stage. Meaning that they will give when you bite into them but they still have some snap back.

Ingredients

1 red bell pepper
1/2 cup small mushrooms - oyster or maitake preferred - cleaned
1 bunch medium asparagus tips (about 2 inches long), halved lengthwise
1 cup packed baby spinach, washed and dried
1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted and ground - black sesame seeds preferred
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Lime wedges, for garnish
Coarse salt - kosher or sea sale preferred
Coarse freshly ground pepper

Process

1) Prepare red pepper by stemming, seeding, removing ribs and julienne cutting the pepper

2) Heat sesame oil, olive oil, and garlic in a skillet over high heat until garlic starts to brown (about 1 to 3 mins)

3) Add pepper, mushrooms, and asparagus to skillet. Cook, stirring, until tender (2 to 3 mins)

4) Season with salt and pepper to taste

5) Add spinach to skillet and continue cooking until slightly wilted

6) Plate and sprinkle vegetables with sesame seeds and serve immediately, garnished with lime wedges