#EatWellLiveWell: Pasta with Asparagus and Crushed Red Pepper

Fresh asparagus means spring is here! And asparagus can represent the start of a healthy new way of eating. Asparagus is loaded with a variety of nutrients such as fiber, vitamins A, C, E, and K as well as chromium. The health benefits don't stop there. Asparagus is also a rich source of glutathione, a detoxifying compound known for protecting against and fighting certain types of cancer such as breast, bone, colon, and lung cancers.

Incorporating this fresh vegetable into your spring cooking routine will be a breeze. Not only are they fun to experiment with in various dishes, they are easy to find in your local grocery store or farmers market. Enjoying a fresh spring meal while receiving a healthy dose of disease-fighting nutrition has never been easier!

Recipe: Pasta with Asparagus and Crushed Red Pepper

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces

• 8 ounces angel hair pasta

• Fresh mushrooms, sliced

• 1/4 cup chicken broth

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions.

2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil.

3. Sauté the asparagus for about 3 minutes over medium heat.

4. Add chicken broth and mushroom slices and continue to cook for 3 more minutes.

5. Drain pasta and place into the serving dish.

6. Toss pasta with asparagus mixture.

7. Top with parmesan and crushed red pepper.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:

281 calories, 9 mg cholesterol, 5.7 g fiber, 339 mg sodium, 39.4 g carbohydrates, 8.4 g fat,
15.5 g protein

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