High-Protein Cacio e Pepe Asparagus is a simple and delicious side dish. It looks indulgent and rich, perfect to serve at gatherings or events. This dish takes 22 minutes to prepare, making it good to prepare on busy weekends. It contains unsalted butter, black pepper, olive oil, asparagus, cheese, & water. These simple items are available easily in the markets, and it is simple to prepare them as well. Serve this dish with zucchini noodles, salmon, or garlic bread. High-Protein Cacio e Pepe Asparagus stores nicely in the fridge, but its texture will be ruined in the freezer. Â You can alter the quantity of the spices as you like, as this dish is versatile enough to make changes.
STATS:
- No of Calories: 185 kcal
- Duration to Prep: Ten minutes
- Duration to Cook: 12 minutes
- Total time: 22 minutes
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Course: Side Dish
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
- Serving size: 1 serving
- Servings: 4
EQUIPMENT:
- Sauté pan
- Cutting board
- Tongs
- Cheese grater
- Knife
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 tbsp. butter (unsalted)
- One tablespoon olive oil (extra-virgin)
- 1 tsp. cracked black pepper
- â…› tsp. salt
- 1 pound of asparagus
- ½ cup of water
- 2 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese
INGREDIENT NOTES:
UNSALTED BUTTER:
- Use the cold and unsalted butter to provide a glossy and smooth sauce, and it coats the asparagus nicely. We have to use cold butter for this purpose. The butter should not contain salt, as the cheese is already salty, so salted butter can make the dish salty.
EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL:
- It will add a rich taste and prevent the butter from burning and browning quickly. It will enrich the Italian flavor and help to cook the asparagus equally to provide a soft and crisp texture.
BLACK PEPPER:
- Use the black pepper to give the real cacio e pepe taste. Crack the pepper fresh and coarsely to provide a good aroma and flavor.
SALT:
- Add the salt to make the dish flavorful. Add the salt in small quantities so the dish will not become overly salty, as the cheese already contains salt.
ASPARAGUS:
- It is best to use fresh asparagus to provide the bright green color. Trim and wash the asparagus well before use.
WATER:
- Water is utilized to soften the asparagus and also helps to make the silky and smooth sauce. It also prevents the vegetables from scorching.
PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE:
- It will add a salty and nutty taste to the dish. It will provide the sharp flavor that will provide the real classic cacio e pepe flavor. Grate them finely so they get smooth in the sauce. Garnish the cheese to enrich the flavor.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Warm one tbsp. Butter & oil in a big pan on a moderate flame.
- Include the black pepper and cook for 30 seconds till aromatic.
- Then include the salt and asparagus and mix well to coat equally.
- Add half a cup of water and cover the pan with a lid.
- Cook it for 4-6 minutes till asparagus becomes soft
- Then remove the lid and cook to evaporate the excess water lightly.
- Now, lower the flame and mix the leftover butter till it melts.
- Sprinkle the cheese gradually and toss it gently to make the creamy coating.
- Then splash some water to slacken the sauce.
- Add it to the dish and sprinkle the cheese and black pepper to garnish and serve.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
PROTEIN:
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Lemon Garlic Salmon
- Herb-Roasted Turkey
- Seared Shrimp
LOW-CARB OPTIONS:
- Cauliflower Rice
- Zucchini Noodles
- Roasted Mushrooms
- Garlic Spinach
ITALIAN SIDES:
- Caprese Salad
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Parmesan Polenta
- Garlic Green Beans
BREAD PAIRING:
- Garlic Bread
- Focaccia
- Ciabatta
- Parmesan Breadsticks
TIPS:
- Grate the Pecorino freshly so it melts well and in a smooth way.
- Don’t overcook the asparagus to make it crisp.
- Add the cheese with care to prevent it from getting clumped.
- Sprinkle the additional black pepper in the last to provide the real taste.
- Squeeze the lemon juice lightly, then serve for the best taste.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Add the dish to the tight vessel and store for 3 days.
FREEZER:
- Don’t freeze this dish as the texture of asparagus will change.
FAQs:
Will I add the parmesan cheese as a substitute?
- Yes, Parmesan cheese is the best substitute for this cheese, and it provides a light, nutty flavor and mild taste.
How to make the dish spicy?
- Include the additional red flakes or black pepper to make the dish spicier.
Will I make the dish in advance?
- You can prepare the ingredients before the requirement and make the dish fresh for the best taste.
Can we have this dish on a keto diet?
- Yes, this recipe doesn’t contain a large amount of carbs and has good fat and fiber content, so it is good for a keto diet.
Will I include additional protein in the dish?
- Add the shrimp, tofu, or chicken to the dish to enrich the protein content.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 185 kcal
Protein: 8 g
Serving: 4
Total carbs: 6 g
Net carbs: 3 g
Fiber: 3 g
Fat: 15 g
Sodium: 420 mg
Potassium: 320 mg
Serving size: 1
Calcium: 240 mg
Iron: 2 g
Vitamin A: 0.7 g
