ASPARAGUS SKIN RECIPES

Steps:

• Snap the woody ends off the asparagus, and discard. Cut the tomatoes in half, spoon out and discard the seeds. Finely slice the tomato flesh, then cut into small dice. Set both asparagus and tomatoes aside.
• Heat the 1 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan. Season the fish with salt and pepper, and cook skin-side down over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes, gently pressing, until skin is crisped and golden. Turn and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes, depending on the thickness, until cooked.
• Meanwhile, cook the asparagus in simmering salted water for 3-4 minutes. Drain well. For the dressing, gently warm the 3 tbsp olive oil in a small saucepan with the tomatoes, olives, capers and parsley leaves. Toss the asparagus in a little of the dressing. Arrange the asparagus on each of four warmed dinner plates, top with the fish, and spoon the warm tomato dressing around the fish.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Cut off the woody bottom part of the asparagus spears and discard.
• With a vegetable peeler, peel off the skin on the bottom 2-3 inches of the spears (this keeps the asparagus from being all "stringy" and if you eat asparagus you know what I mean by that).
• Place asparagus on foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• With your hands, roll the asparagus around until they are evenly coated with oil and salt.
• Roast for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your stalks and how tender you like them.
• They should be tender when pierced with the tip of a knife.
• The tips of the spears will get very brown but watch them to prevent burning.
• They are great plain, but sometimes I serve them with a light vinaigrette if we need something acidic to balance out our meal.