Indian Asparagus Stir Fry
This Indian asparagus stir fry is one of my favorite simple side dishes since it adds a fresh and exciting change to how I usually cook asparagus. I saute fresh asparagus with ginger and cumin seeds in olive oil until it turns tender and fragrant with warm spice. This asparagus sabji is vegan, gluten free, and ready in just 30 minutes, which makes it easy to add to any meal.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 56kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger grated or minced
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice + a pinch of sugar or 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
- ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the asparagus into bite sized pieces. Heat the oil, and add the cumin seeds. Once they begin to pop, add the ginger. Fry for a few seconds, then add the asparagus.
- Add salt, cook uncovered for ~5-10 min, stirring.
- When the asparagus begins to caramelize and brown, add the lemon / orange juice to deglaze the pan. As the juice begins to evaporate, turn the heat off. Allow the juice to soak up for a few minutes. Sprinkle with black pepper, stir, and serve.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to cook the asparagus uncovered for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This lets it caramelize and brown, giving my asparagus sabzi a delightful crunch.
- Properly Prep The Asparagus: I always start with fresh asparagus for this recipe. I wash and dry each stalk with paper towels, then cut them into bite-sized pieces, making sure to remove the woody ends. I love snapping the ends off by hand because the asparagus naturally breaks at the right spot, which makes the texture perfect.
- Use Fresh Spices: I always make sure my spices are fresh because cumin seeds and ginger lose their potency as they near their expiration date. Using fresh spices gives the most authentic Indian flavors to my asparagus sabzi.
- Use Fresh Juice: I add a splash of lemon or orange juice to deglaze the pan once the asparagus starts to brown. This gives the asparagus a tangy kick and helps it absorb the spices even better.
Nutrition
Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.1g | Protein: 2.6g | Fat: 3.6g | Sodium: 583.6mg | Fiber: 2.4g