Dill Cornmeal Crusted Asparagus- Recipe Redux

This month's Recipe Redux theme is "The First Shoots of Spring."  The weather is starting to become predictable and Spring is in full bloom.  I love taking walks with Lyla and pointing out the vibrant flowers and different kinds of leaves.  Farmer's markets are featuring the first vegetables of the season including pea shoots, rhubarb, garlic scapes, rams, and asparagus.  Our mission was to use one of these early edible plants in a healthy dish.

This month has been a bit crazy for me with Passover taking over so I have to admit this was a last minute scramble.  I couldn't find any of the unique crops in my usual store so I settled for asparagus- white asparagus to be exact.  Did you know that it's white because it's grown under soil so that it's deprived of sunlight?  This way it can't perform photosynthesis and produce chlorophyll (the thing that makes plants green).  White asparagus is more subtle in flavor and a bit more tender.

White Asparagus

I love a good dill sauce with my asparagus but since I've already posted a recipe for asparagus with dill sauce for Thanksgiving, I had to get a bit more creative.  I'm a bug fan of vegetable tempura so I decided to make a cornmeal batter infused with dill for some good color.  I coated my white asparagus in it, sprinkled with some panko, and roasted it up for some yummy goodness.  2 vegetables in 1 and a healthier alternative to tempura which is fried!  These dill dipped asparagus spears are beautiful and fun to make.  Make some for your next dinner party to impress your friends!

Dill Cornmeal Crusted Asparagus Ingredients:  1 bunch white asparagus, washed 2/3 c cornmeal 1/3 c whole wheat flour 1 t salt 2 T nutritional yeast 1 egg ½ c water 2 T olive oil 1 bunch fresh dill ¼ c panko bread crumb Directions: 1.    Preheat oven to 400 F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 2.    Cut asparagus edges off on a diagonal and set aside. 3.    Wash the dill and trim off stems 4.    Combine all ingredients (except asparagus) in a food processor and blend until smooth 5.    Pour mixture into a mixing bowl 6.    Roll the top third of each asparagus in the mixture and place on baking sheet.  Sprinkle panko crumbs on coated tops 7.    Then sprinkle salt and pepper on exposed stalks 8.    Roast for 20 minutes

As the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, The Recipe ReDux aims to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Thank you for visiting. We hope you enjoy!

(Please note that this is a closed link-up for Recipe ReDux posts only. Any links added to this collection for non-ReDux posts will be deleted.) 

1. Cherie@Grain Crazy - Spring Veggie Slaw	2. Nancy @ Nutritionknowhow.org	3. Danielle @ Food Confidence - Sno Pea Shoots & Avocado Salad	4. Emma @ Scoop Nutrition - Rustic Rhubarb & Apple Bread
5. Emily @ The Nutriscientist - Leek and mushroom pearl barley salad	6. Nina @ What's for eats: Creamy Leek and Mushroom Soup	7. Elizabeth @ Don't (White) Sugar Coat It RAMPED UP VEGAN SCONE	8. Regan @ The Professional Palate: Spring Onion Jam Grilled Cheese
9. Serena @ Teaspoon of Spice: Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp	10. Meg@ Meg's Food Reality: Pea Shoots Salad	11. Kristina @ Love and Zest - Leek-y Stir Fry	12. Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips - Caramelized Leek & Asparagus Salad
13. Susan @ Wish Upon A Dish - Asparagus Pesto	14. Kara @ Peace, Love, Food - Asparagus and Leek Spring Quiche	15. Laura @ Pint-Sized Nutrition - Asparagus Quinoa Risotto	16. Janel @ Eat Well with Janel
17. Erin @ Wholesome RD: Shaved Asparagus Pizza	18. Ann @ Eat to Nourish, Energize & Flourish!	19. Julie @ Tastefully Julie Spring Risotto with Brown Rice and Asparagus	20. Sarah @ What Smells So Good?
21. Alex @ Delicious Knowledge. Spring Soup with green garlic, chives, and spring onions	22. Dr Barb's Stuffed Leeks with Leek Potato Salad	23. Becky @ TOHG - Leek and Toasted Walnut Pesto	24. anne@simpleandsavory.com - Farro with oven roasted asparagus & tomatoes
25. Dorothy @ Dorothy's Delicious Dinings - Leek Frittata	26. Amber @ Chocolate Broccoli- Bok Choy Gratin	27. Mary @ Brighton Your Health - Steamed Leeks With Citrus Soy Vinaigrette	28. Gabriella @GabriellaVRD
29. Jennifer @ The Foodery - Potato Leek Avocado Soup	30. Robin Plotkin	31. Jen Haugen @ Down-To-Earth Dietitian	32. Karman @NutritionAdventures
33. Meg @ Meg in the Kitchen - Spring Garlic Carbonara	34. Avital @ A Slice of Nutrition- Dill Cornmeal Crusted Asparagus	35. EA@The Spicy RD Potato & Leek Soup	36. Monika @ inCYST on the Best!

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