Roasted Asparagus with Basil-infused Olive Oil

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup packed basil leaves
• 1 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb asparagus stalks, trimmed
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Method:

To make basil-infused olive oil

• Wash and dry the basil leaves on a kitchen towel
• Blend the olive oil with the basil leaves thoroughly
• Gently heat the blended oil in a pan for 5 minutes
• Remove from heat and let it cool
• Strain the oil through a fine mesh stainless steel tea strainer in to a bottle and store

To make roasted asparagus

• Pre-heat oven to 350F
• Toss the asparagus with 2 tablespoons of the basil-infused olive oil, and nice big pinch of salt and black pepper
• Place on a cookie sheet in the oven and roast for 10 minutes (maybe 5 minutes longer if the asparagus is not as tender)
• Remove from oven and use as a side, or toss it with pasta or a salad