Asparagus Season!

Sometimes I have an obsession with asparagus. This recipe never lets me down. Especially when I find 4 bunches of perfectly fresh asparagus at Anderson's for 99 cents. I have no idea why it was marked down because the bunches that I didn't cook right away lasted over a week in the fridge. Find other good asparagus recipes at Tammy's Recipe Swap.

Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter
Cooking Light

20 asparagus spears, trimmed (I just use the bunch that I buy it in)
Cooking spray
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/16 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce (check for gluten)
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange asparagus in a single layer on baking sheet; coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 400° for 12 minutes or until tender. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat; cook for 3 minutes or until lightly browned, shaking pan occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in soy sauce and vinegar. Drizzle over the asparagus, tossing well to coat. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

45 calories, 3 g fat

*You could grill the asparagus if it's too hot for the oven
**I usually double the soy sauce and vinegar so there is more deliciousness per spear. I don’t find the need to increase the butter.
***If you don't know how to trim asparagus, just wash it and then try to bend it at the bottom of the stem...it will snap where it's supposed to (where it gets woody)

Let me know what you think!

Why I Love Trader Joe's

Before I ever shopped at Trader Joe's, I assumed that it was a high-priced health food store with limited selection. I found that I was completely wrong, except for that many of the food options ARE more healthy than typical grocery store products (no high fructose corn syrup or trans-fat, that I've seen--and I read ingredients). It is definitely my favorite place to shop.

Why I love this store:
-return anything that you don't like for a full refund
-samples to try before you buy
-the employees always seem happy and are crazy helpful
-2.99 greek yogurt (compared to $4+ for Fage)
-1.99 liquid egg whites carton
-1.69 reduced fat wheat crisp crackers
-1.29 for 4 big lemons
-1.79 1/2 gallon of milk
-1.69 for 1.5 lbs of baby carrots
-1.49 shredded carrots
-1.49 dozen eggs
-1.99 hummus (chipotle pepper is my favorite!)
-2.49 organic spinach
-1.69 english muffins
-1.89 pizza sauce
-1.79 peanut butter (salted or unsalted creamy or crunchy)
-3.49 for a bag of 4 avocados
-0.99 sea salt
-3.99 2-ply 12 rolls recycled bath tissue
-Lots of imported cheese...good prices on it. I love the brie and the blue cheese
-Tofu is only about 1.49 (used to be .99, but I think the price increased)
-I don't have prices, but I also love the frozen veggies and berries.
-Awesome selection of cookies, nuts, candy (chocolate covered everything), and frozen desserts
-Great beer/wine selection
AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON
-3.49 Charles Shaw Wine! Ever heard of 2 Buck Chuck? This is it...and it is GOOD.

Anything to add?? There is a Trader Joe's at Easton and one on Sawmill near 161.

Flannagans Volleyball League

***Edited - Reminder:
Sign up for the Flannagan’s Dublin Summer I volleyball by Thursday, May 7th. It’s filling up quickly. See below for more information.

Flannagans Dublin
6835 Caine Rd Columbus, OH 43235
(614) 766-7788
Click here for league information

6's Co-ed recreational fun
Sunday-Friday nights (pick your preferred night and court)
Four sessions available from March - November
Must have at least 5 players, 2 must be women. Preferred format is 3 and 3.
Best of 3 games to 15 or 1 hour
Must be 21
***For the Summer Sessions, Court A is advanced co-rec

Great place to play “fun” volleyball whether it’s a work team or a group of friends. There is lower seating and a balcony available to hang out before and after your games. Many teams drink before, during, and after the games. Skill level is all across the board. As long as you know the basic rules of volleyball and can follow them most of the time, you should be fine. Be courteous and call your own nets and lifts (no refs). If you are playing on the advanced court, you should hold yourselves to higher standards and be more strict about making your own calls.

Cinco de Mayo recipe - Salsa Roll-ups

This is an easy, relatively healthy appetizer that requires no cooking. You may want to double this recipe for more than 5 people. Change up the spices if you prefer (taco seasoning would be good) and add some finely chopped red pepper if you'd like. Serve "as is" or with salsa and/or guacamole.

Salsa Roll-Ups

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese, softened
3 Tbsp. salsa
4 Flour Tortillas (I used (3) 8 inch whole wheat tortillas)
1/2 cup Mexican Style 2% Milk Finely Shredded Four Cheese (or preferred cheese)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. chili powder

Mix cream cheese, salsa, and chili powder; spread onto tortillas. Top with cheese. ROll up tortillas tightly. Cut each crosswise into 5 slices.
**Make Ahead - Prepare roll-ups as directed, but do not cut into slices. Tightly wrap each roll-up in plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to 4 hours. Slice just before serving.