Monday, July 29, 2013

Soft-Boiled Egg and Asparagus

Please excuse my absence for the past year or so. I had some health issues that kept me from all of my extracurricular activities. Without getting into the nitty gritty of it all, I was FORCED, against my will, to go on a no carb diet. Being from Wisconsin, where most meals are served with a loaf of bread and beer is a main food group, this is not something I expected to succeed at. However, after more than a few slip ups, (and paying the price dearly for it) I have been converted. There are so many options for meals that aren't centered around a starchy, white base. I have spent more time on Pinterest over the past months than I care to acknowledge, but I have rounded up quite a few delicious recipes that are carb and sugar free. (sugar being the main ingredient I have been forced to avoid, and in case you were not aware... Sugar is in EVERYTHING!) 

I was lucky enough to be started on this diet at the beginning of summer when fresh vegetables are aplenty. Asparagus is one of the first vegetables available and I am obsessed with it. That's putting it lightly. I bought so much at the Farmer's Market, I could barely fit it all in the fridge. I had to come up with some interesting ways to eat all of it and hence, the pictures below. 


I love me some hard-boiled eggs. So easy and delicious, and great for on the go. I also love poached eggs. So decadent and that runny yolk, oh my! Well believe it or not, until recently, I had never had a soft-boiled egg. I don't know why, but I'm so glad to have the rest of my life to enjoy them! And they are pretty easy to make. I've only had one bad experience so far and it was my own fault for trying to take a short cut. Here's a fool proof method for the perfect soft-boiled egg. And while you are waiting those excruciating 6 minutes, sauté some asparagus in olive oil with garlic, S&P. (btw, did you know instead of cutting off the ends of your asparagus, if you gently bend the stalks they will break at the perfect point to remove the stringy, coarse butts!)


Assemble your sauteed asparagus (I cut mine up because it was so thick and is easier to eat) and top with perfect soft-boiled eggs. Sprinkle on some S&P and enjoy that moment when you cut into your eggs and the whites are firm, but the yolk spills out over your plate.... mmmm! And sop it all up with the fresh, crisp summer asparagus. Carb free is not so bad!