Are you a foodie?

What tastes do you most associate with the arrival of spring? For me it’s tender asparagus, sweet strawberries and even though I can’t taste them, I love to see the birth of new tulips (my favourite flower!)

Since I have devoted this month’s blog series to the joy habit of pleasure, one of the five senses that really speaks to me is that of taste. I know I’m not alone on this and if you’re a foodie like me, you eagerly anticipate your local farmers market season. The tastes of fresh produce and artisan created treats always makes my heart sing.

I love to cook and over the last couple of years have experimented with adapting some of my tried-and-true recipes to make them healthier for my energy level and waist-line. And from time to time, I add something special to just make them a little more indulgent.

Last night I cooked up some fresh new asparagus and it was a wonderful side dish to my brown basmati rice and air fryer fish. I’m sharing it with you today but don’t let the simplicity of it fool you – it was packed with flavour! This is what you’ll need:

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus, washed, trimmed, and cut into two-inch pieces
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 TBSP lemon juice
• Homemade ghee (or you could use butter or olive oil if you like but once you start to cook with ghee, you’ll never go back to butter. I make mine in a slow cooker and if you want my recipe, send me an email)
• Salt & Pepper to taste

This is what you’ll do:

• Steam the asparagus until partially cooked – only about 2-3 mins then drain and let pot dry.
• In the dried pot, add the ghee or oil, garlic and stir for a minute – don’t burn the garlic.
• Add the asparagus to the pan and stir.
• Add lemon juice and salt & pepper.

That’s all there is to it. Now if you want to kick it up a notch, steam some cut red pepper with the asparagus. And when you sauté the garlic and ghee, add some onion or shallots. And for additional heat, add some red pepper flakes when you add the salt and pepper. Finish with a sprinkling of feta which will melt naturally over the hot dish. Serve right away. Yum yum!

So today, I encourage you to get creative. Try some new foods, adapt some recipes, and expand your taste buds. Close your eyes and taste with all your senses. For when you savour with gusto, you will help to awaken your pleasure centre. And that my friend is joyful living.

Joyful indulgence from your Joy Mama,

P.S. If you want to learn more about the joy habit of pleasure, order a copy of my book Being Joy™ where I devote an entire chapter to it.

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Do you have a favourite song?
Follow your nose
What beauty do you behold?

Image from Pixabay.