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READY IN 20 mins

Asparagus with Cranberries and Pine Nuts

Read Reviews (49)

"This is a quick, easy way to saute asparagus. The dish has a light flavor and makes a great accompaniment to Italian meals. I make this year-round, but we especially enjoy it on Thanksgiving." — JenM

Ingredients Edit and Save

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Types of Cooking Oil

Types of Salt

Original recipe makes 4 servings Change Servings

1 bunch asparagus
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts

1/3 cup dried cranberries
1 pinch salt

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Directions

Break off or trim the woody ends from the asparagus and discard. Set the spears aside.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the pine nuts, cranberries, and salt. Cook and stir until the pine nuts start to look translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the asparagus spears and cook, adding a little more olive oil if needed, until stalks are bright green and tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Serve on a platter with the cranberries and nuts spooned over the top of the asparagus.

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PREP 10 mins
COOK 10 mins
READY IN 20 mins

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Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Nov 19, 2009

this dish looks so good. it seems the author missed a step here. i would fry the cranberries and nuts, remove them once translucent, then fry the asparagus in that same oil, then serve with the cranberries and pine nuts on top. this way the asparagus is flavored and the nuts won't burn.

—ummkhalid

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Dec 28, 2009

Followed the advice of others and sauteed the pine nuts and cranberries first, so they wouldn't get overdone...but even after adding to the asparagus the dish was kinda bland and definitely needed more seasoning.

—Lisa Z Miner

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64 Ratings

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Oct 07, 2008

We loved this! The only thing I did different, I steamed the asparagus first and then topped it with the toasted nuts and cranberries. It's beautiful on the dish!

—Anna

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May 25, 2012

The pine nuts and craisins add a great flavor to the asparagus. As other reviewers have noted, the pine nuts brown and burn very easily. (I had to throw the first batch out and start over because the pine nuts were charred black after sautéing the asparagus.) sauté the cranberries and pine nuts for 3-4 minutes first, remove from pan with slotted spoon, then sauté asparagus, adding the cranberries and pine nuts back to the pan for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. When made correctly, the dish is delicious.

—mainemom

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Apr 21, 2009

This was really really tasty. We absolutely loved it. We did manage to burn the pine nuts and cranberries, though, while waiting for the asparagus to cook. Next time we do this I think we'll steam the asparagus separately while simultaneously cooking the crans/nuts in oil in a separate pan and then add the asparagus to the pan to toss and finish up.

—Megan

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Nov 05, 2010

This caught my eye because we like asparagus, cranberries and pine nuts! I cooked my asparagus early in the afternoon and refrigerated it. I added just a bit of oil (3 T. is way too much), the cranberries and pine nuts and zapped it in the microwave to reheat it. When plating I added a little crumbled feta too. It was a wonderful new way to enjoy asparagus! Thank you!

—bellepepper

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Oct 09, 2008

I was unsure what was meant by cooking the pine nuts until they looked translucent, they just kind of started to brown, but it tasted great anyway! This dish was a great new way to have asparagus and I will make it again.

—ilovenineinchnails

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Feb 02, 2011

This is absolutely FANTASTIC!!! What an amazing and delicious change for one of our favorite veggies. I changed just a tiny bit, I added a few slivered almonds in with the pine nuts and cranberries and I sauteed the asparagus in the skillet for a couple of minutes then transferred to the microwave and steamed the stalks for a couple of minutes. It incorporated the wonderful blend of flavors in the skillet with the tenderness and flavor of steaming. After topping with the cranberry/pine nuts/almond mixture I crumbled feta cheese. Elegant in appearance and completely delectable! This is one recipe I'll make again and again and again! MMMMMMMMMMMMMM GOOOOOODDDDD!!!!!!

—SaraLynn

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Nutrition

Calories
206 kcal
10%

Carbohydrates
14.3 g
5%

Cholesterol
0 mg
0%

Fat
16 g
25%

Fiber
3.3 g
13%

Protein
5.2 g
10%

Sodium
100 mg
4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Asparagus with Cranberries and Pine Nuts

Serving Size: 1/4 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 206
Calories from Fat: 144

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16g 25 %
Saturated Fat 2.3g 12 %
Cholesterol 0mg 0 %
Sodium 100mg 4 %
** Potassium 297mg 8 %
Total Carbohydrates 14.3g 5 %
Dietary Fiber 3.3g 13 %
Protein 5.2g 10 %
Sugars 8.9g
Vitamin A 17 %
Vitamin C 11 %
Calcium 4 %
Iron 35 %
** Thiamin 25 %
** Niacin 20 %
** Vitamin B6 7 %
** Magnesium 15 %
** Folate 36 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.