Roasted Asparagus with Garlic

Ingredients:

• 1 bundle asparagus
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup olive oil
•  1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Trim the thick ends off the asparagus stalks.
3. Crush each individual garlic clove with the side of a wide blade of a heavy knife.  (Crushing the garlic stimulates the enzymatic process that converts the phytonutrient alliin into allicin, a compound to which many of garlic's health benefits are attributed.) Peel the skin off of the garlic, then cut each clove into large chunks; set aside for 5 minutes, to allow for maximal allicin production.
4. Spread the asparagus onto a baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with sea salt and garlic chunks
5. Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes. The asparagus should be tender, yet still a bit crispy.

Healthy Information: Asparagus is high in vitamins and low in calories. It contains large amounts of folate, which is essential for a healthy cardiovascular system. It is also high in vitamins K and C. Its mineral profile, combined with an active amino acid, also makes it a natural diuretic. Consuming asparagus during pregnancy can help fight birth defects; a cup of asparagus supplies approximately 263 mcg of folate, a B-vitamin essential for proper cellular division because it is necessary in DNA synthesis. 

Enjoy!

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