Healthy baked asparagus in a delicate almond sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches of asparagus, 450g each, tough ends trimmed
• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil
• 6 tablespoons blanched sliced ​​almonds
• 1.5 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1.5 tsp lemon zest

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Position a rack in the upper third of the oven. Place the asparagus on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and black pepper. Bake until tender, about 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, combine 5 tablespoons almonds, lemon juice, sugar, and 6 tablespoons water in a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Taste the sauce and season with salt.
3. Pour the sauce onto a serving platter and top with the asparagus. Sprinkle with the zest and the remaining 1 tablespoon of almonds.
   
   Green:
   Sprinkle with your favorite fresh herbs if desired. Chopped basil, mint leaves, or parsley are ideal choices.