A quick and flavorful side dish featuring tender asparagus sautéed in garlic butter.
Trim the woody ends of the asparagus and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
To easily trim asparagus, bend the stalk until it snaps; it naturally breaks at the tender part.
Heat the butter in a frying pan over medium heat until melted.
Ensure the butter doesn't brown too much; it should just melt and start to sizzle.
Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir constantly to prevent the garlic from burning, which can make it bitter.
Add the asparagus pieces to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook while stirring occasionally until tender but still crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the asparagus stalks.
Serve the sautéed asparagus warm as a side dish.
For a touch of freshness, garnish with a squeeze of lemon juice or some chopped parsley.