Broccoli & Asparagus Stir Fry

Ok...this will have to be the simplest recipe i will ever post. Have you ever thought to your self...if you could be a vegetable what would you be??? (or has this thought only occured to me??...considering my love for veggies)...anyways...if i could be a veggie i would want to be Broccoli...i can't tell you how much i love broccoli...i owe this love affair to Sandra, my best friend. We used to go for Jazz classes, come back hungry n' gorge on broccoli stir fry...so i'm dedicating this post to her...:D

A little fact i read about Broccoli on Wikipedia which i didn't know before...Broccoli evolved from a wild cabbage plant on the continent of Europe. Indications point to the vegetable being known of 2,000 years ago. Since the Roman Empire, broccoli has been considered a uniquely valuable food among Italians. Broccoli was first introduced to the United States by these immigrants, but had not become widely known until the 1920s. The benefits of broccoli are greatly reduced if the vegetable is boiled more than ten minutes.

Broccoli is high in vitamins C, K, and A, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties. A high intake of broccoli has been found to reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Broccoli consumption has also shown that it is beneficial in the prevention of heart diseases.

If i want RJ to eat this i have to give him some fried beef along with it...(i think beef n' broccoli is a great combination)...now that asparagus is in season i decided to partner it with broccoli n' i loved it....so here you go...

Ingredients:

1. Broccoli: 500gms
2. Asparagus: 200gms
3. Butter: 3-4tsp (i use indian Amul Butter coz i just love it)
4. Salt: as per taste or 1/2 tsp (if you are using salted butter like me..reduce the quantity)
5. Black Pepper: 2 pinch (optional)*
6. Garlic: 1no (crushed) (optional)*
7. Lemon juice: 2-3 drops (optional)*

* the reason why i have mentioned these as optional is coz i mostly don't add them...i like it simply with butter n' salt...but adding these might give a zing if you don't like it plain)

Method:

Step 1: Cut off bottom fourth of asparagus, and discard, as it is tough and stringy. I cut rest into 3-inch pieces each. (To set the color of the asparagus, briefly blanch in boiling water.)

Step 2: Slice the broccoli into medium pieces.

Step 3: Add butter into a hot wok. If you are using garlic add it to the butter once the butter has melted. Add broccoli and asparagus to this. Stir well.

Step 4: You will see the both broccoli and asparagus pieces turning into a bright green colour. This indicates it's done. Add salt and black pepper and sprinkle some lemon juice if you are using it and it's ready. (But like i said... i like having it with just butter n' salt....)