Grilled Asparagus With Lemon, Toasted Pine Nuts and Pecorino Cheese
When it’s time to get the grill out, great veggies make a good accompaniment to any meal. Asparagus is a widely used vegetable on the grill, but how about mixing it up a bit with a couple of unexpected additions? Grilled Asparagus with Lemon, Toasted Pine Nuts and Pecorino cheese is easy to make and a perfect pairing to any grilled meal.
Start by tossing a bit of olive oil with the asparagus. Add salt and pepper. Set that aside and toast the pine nuts. Simply add the pine nuts to a small frying pan over medium heat. Shake the pan to brown evenly on all sides. They will become fragrant and slightly brown, when they are done. That’s it! Set to the side to garnish at the end.
Two ways to grill. The asparagus can be grilled on a traditional outdoor gas grill or right on the Big Green Egg (or any pellet smoker). Be sure to turn often to avoid a great deal of charring. We haven’t tried roasting the asparagus with this dish, but it would work just as well.
Grill the lemon for the last few minutes as well.
When done to your likeness, remove the asparagus to a serving dish.
Top with a bit of the lemon olive oil, if using. If not, just squeeze a bit of the grilled lemon over the asparagus. Next sprinkle the pine nuts on top.
Top with the pecorino cheese. That’s it! A delicious side dish, easily grilled.
An Al Fresco Dinner
On this spring night we had a simple (but special!) dinner on the patio with some warmed king crab legs. The lemony asparagus was a perfect pairing.
We hope if you try this dish, you will love it too.
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Pecorino Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of asparagus, ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Olive Oil (for garnish, optional)
- 1/2 Lemon, grilled
- 1/4 cup Pecorino Cheese, shaved in 1-2 inch pieces
Instructions
- Heat an outdoor grill to medium high.
- Toss the asparagus in the 2 tablespoons Olive Oil. Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper on the asparagus.
- In a very small frying pan slowly toast the Pine Nuts over medium heat. Shake the pan to turn the Pine Nuts so they toast evenly. Careful not to burn, cook for about 3-4 minutes total. Set aside.
- Place the asparagus on the pre-heated grill. Grill on one side for 2-3 minutes and turn with tongs. Grill on the other side, careful not to burn. Continuing grilling to the desired doneness, about 5-6 minutes total.
- In the last 2-3 minutes while grilling the asparagus, place the lemon on the grill. Grill for just a couple of minutes.
- Remove the asparagus and lemon from the grill and place on a platter.
- If using, sprinkle the lemon olive oil on the grilled asparagus. If not using, squeeze a bit of the grilled lemon on the asparagus.
- Top with the toasted pine nuts and shaved cheese. Serve at once. Enjoy!
Experience the essence of spring with grilled asparagus, crowned with pecorino cheese, toasted pine nuts, and a sprinkle of grilled lemon.