European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 18, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday March 18 2007 scene stars and stripes Page 21 asparagus is a member of the Lily family and delivers 30 percent of the us a recommended daily intake of foliate in a i cup serving foliate helps our bodies make Normal red blood cells prevent anaemia and promote healthy cell growth Spring for Spears when Spring weather is just right an asparagus stalk can grow As much As 10 inches a Day even More impressive is what it can do for your diet asparagus is Low in calories about 5 calories a stalk and is packed with vitamins a c and e but where this edible member of the Lily family truly shines is As a source of foliate a nutrient vital to Good health foliate is key for cell production and May help protect against heart Dis ease according to the american dietetic association just a Hal cup serving of asparagus delivers a third of the recommended daily intake of foliate every nutrient is important but foliate delivers a lot of bang for the Buck says Cynthia Sass an Ameri can dietetic association spokeswoman she adds that foliate helps prevent birth defects and women of childbearing age need to make sure they get enough but eating plenty of asparagus is easy with recipes such As this one for braising it in Olive Oil with Rosemary and Bay leaves from Patricia Wells new Book vegetable Harvest Wells says the simple braise brings out the Mineral Rich woodsy flavors of the asparagus and the dish needs no further embellishment Green or purple asparagus would be the easiest options for this recipe though Green is the least expensive and most readily available White asparagus which is Milder in flavor also can be used most White asparagus should be peeled before cooking when shopping for asparagus look for firm stalks with tight tips fresh asparagus should snap when Bent though Best eaten the Day Pur chased asparagus can be refrigerated then wrapped in a Damp cloth inside a plastic bag for three Days opinion is divided but Many peo ple believe Large stalks Are sweeter and Juicer than thin ones White asparagus tends to be less flavorful purple asparagus will have a fruity flavor peeling Tough skinned stalks with a vegetable Peeler will help ensure that the tips and stalks Cook at the same rate and be sure to rinse All asparagus thoroughly before cooking to remove any lingering Sand for an even simpler preparation try microwaving a Pound of asparagus with a few Tablespoons of water in a covered Glass dish for about 3 min utes or until tender to roast asparagus place the stalks on a baking Sheet drizzle with a Tablespoon of extra Virgin Olive Oil and roast at 500 f for 10 minutes or until wilted and browned in spots asparagus braised with fresh Rosemary and Bay leaves 2 pounds fresh Green or White asparagus Bottoms trimmed peeled if Tough 1 Tablespoon extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 Teaspoon coarse sea Salt 3 sprigs fresh Rosemary 3 Bay leaves preferably fresh in a Skillet Large enough to hold the asparagus in a single layer Combine the asparagus Oil Salt Rosemary and Bay leaves Sprinkle with 3 Tablespoons of cold water cover and Cook Over High heat just until the Oil and water mixture begins to sizzle reduce heat to medium and braise the asparagus covered turning from time to time until the asparagus be gins to Brown in spots about 8 to 10 minutes cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the asparagus serve immediately makes 4 Servings o q o o 1 Channel weekly schedule the services journal Force space step with tie services news news news news news so Taes the the the the senders news news news news corps the services corps Hood on army american on the news journal on the journal corps journal the services journal news Force space the services on the corps Hood on the sew ices Force space news step with it news news the services on the the the the the corps journal news journal american on the american on the corps air Force news news news news news news Force space on the Hood on chronicles army Hood on on corps Hood on Hood on on the on the journal journal journal journal journal journal journal news news news news news Force space step with Hood on american step with it on on the the the the the the City corps news news news news news on the american news news news news news time from previous Days schedule for a full 24hour schedule visit our i