Butter Toasted Asparagus with Almonds

New to cooking? This is an easy as easy can get recipe but oh so yummy as well. The butter really does the trick. I use margarine but you can do butter if you wish.

Method and Ingredients:

Bunch of Asparagus (about 10 stems)
1/2 medium onion, sliced lengthwise
1/2 small tomato, sliced lengthwise
1/4 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder
Salt/black pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes (as per your heat level)
Slivered almonds (1 tbsp)

1. Wash the asparagus really well especially the tips. Trim the end of the asparaugus (tough part) at the bottom of the asparagus.
2. Heat some butter, okay a lot of butter!! Add sliced onions, tomato, and asparagus.
3. Cover and let cook for 3 minutes on low heat.
4. Uncover, add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and onion powder. Toss well. Add the slivered almonds.
5. Cover and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. I like my asparagus wth a little bite to it. So adjust cooking time accordingly.

The key to this dish is makng sure that the asparagus does not overcook. Also, towards the end I turn the heat up right before serving the dish. This somewhat chars the seasonings stuck to the bottom of the pan and the charred seasonings give the asparagus a great flavor.  I recomment makng this dish in a non stick pan.

Serve as a vegetable side dish to you main entree.