This conversation is brought to you by The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board all opinions and experiences are mine.

I have learned that when it is hot I do not enjoy cooking an elaborate meal. OK that’s pretty much any day. So most of my recipes are simple and most importantly delicious. This Asparagus and Shrimp Stir Fry falls into both of those categories!

I fell in love with asparagus right after I graduated high school. The day after graduation we moved to Utah out in the boonies. One day I came across a creek with these stalks growing along side it. They were all over and it looked quite strange. As I moved closer I realized it was asparagus. There was tons of it. I mean literally tons. Walking up and down the creek side I picked enough asparagus to fill a large paper grocery sack. When I got home my mother and I blanched the asparagus and packed them in freezer bag and into the freezer the asparagus went. I went back to the creek 3 more times filling grocery sacks full of wild asparagus. Our freezer was packed full with that delicious asparagus.

Living in the city of Phoenix there are very few places to find wild asparagus. I think I am kind of glad that I dont have to go traipsing along creeks to get asparagus. I can find delicious asparagus at my local grocery store. Did you know that Michigan just recently pulled ahead of California and Washington to become the nation’s leading asparagus producer. One county in Michigan has been “asparagus capital of the world”. May is National Asparagus month. I am pretty happy about that. I am amazed that 120 Michigan family farms harvest approximately 20 million pounds of asparagus on 9,500 acres of land. 20 million pounds of asparagus that’s a lot!

Lets talk about this Asparagus and Shrimp Stir Fry. Between my love of asparagus and my new found infatuation with shrimp this Asparagus and Shrimp Stir Fry is so good.

Have you ever heard of Ponzu sauce? OMG it is a blend of soy sauce and citrus and it is simply delicious and it takes this Asparagus and Shrimp Stir Fry over the top. A little goes a long way with Ponzu sauce so make sure to go easy with it. I did add more when the Asparagus and Shrimp Stir Fry was finished, simply because I like strong flavors. You can find Ponzu sauce in the Asian section of your grocery store. This stir fry is full of garlic, green onions and that yummy Ponzu sauce. Mr. Pinkcakeplate loved this Asparagus and Shrimp Stir Fry and it will be a recipe I will make again and again.

Asparagus and Shrimp Stir Fry

Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry

Print Recipe

Ingredients

1 pound 51- 60 count shrimp peeled, deviened and pat dry
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil or other high heat oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 pound asparagus cut into 1 inch pieces
3 garlic cloves minced
2 tablespoons ponzu sauce you can find this in the Asian section at your local grocery store
3 diced green onions

Instructions

Combine shrimp, cornstarch, salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Toss to coat.
Heat olive and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Once hot cook shrimp until pink and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Add the asparagus to the skillet, and cook just until it starts to soften, about 3 minutes. Return shrimp the the pan, add in garlic, ponzu sauce and green onions. Cook, stirring frequently, just until the garlic becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Remove from heat, season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.