Savory, Side Dish Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen Savory, Side Dish Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen

Oven Roasted Asparagus

A quick and simple side dish that compliments most meat dishes.

Oven Roasted Asparagus

Preheat oven to 400F.

Wash and snap* off the woody ends of:

~1 lb asparagus spears

Place in colander to drain, then spread evenly in a 15”x10” sheet pan.

Drizzle lightly with:

Olive oil

Sprinkle lightly with:

Garlic salt

Transfer filled sheet to hot oven.

Roast for 5 to 10 minutes until the spears turn bright green.

Serve immediately.

Brenda’s tips:

  • Serving size: 4

  • *Snapping asparagus: there is a natural breaking point where, as you lightly bend the asparagus stem, it will snap

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Main Dish, Savory, Side Dish, Pasta Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen Main Dish, Savory, Side Dish, Pasta Brenda Drake + Chelsea Kasen

Creamy Garlic Sauce

This creamy garlic sauce can be added to any savory dish that needs a boost: pasta, gnocchi, veggies, chicken, pizza, beef, rice…the sky is the limit!

Brenda makes this creamy garlic sauce for pretty much any savory dish that needs a boost: pasta, gnocchi, veggies, chicken, pizza, beef, rice…the sky is the limit!

Scroll to the Brenda’s Tips section to learn how to turn this recipe into a soup.

Creamy Garlic Sauce

Make a roux:

1 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp flour

Cook for 2-4 minutes on medium heat.

Whisking continuously, add:

1 cup milk

Once smooth, also add:

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp parsley

1 oz cream cheese

1 Tbsp parmesan cheese

Simmer.

Once thickened, cook an additional 1-2 minutes.

Serve hot.

Brenda’s tips:

  • Serving Size: makes about 1 cup.

  • Roux? Sounds complex? Nope. Heat a skillet. Add butter and flour. Start whisking. The butter will melt and whisking will incorporate the flour. Once smooth let it bubble for at least a minute - to cook the flour - and longer will develop flavor. Eventually it can burn so keep stirring but don’t let it darken too much.

  • And once you add milk you now have a béchamel. Brenda’s mom always called it a white sauce.

  • Brenda makes this creamy garlic sauce for pretty much any savory dish that needs a boost: pasta, veggies, chicken, pizza, beef, rice .... thin it out with a little more milk, cook the roux longer for deeper flavor, or even make a small batch to thicken soup.

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