Fried Asparagus
1 pound pound asparagus
1 1/2 cups Heart Smart Bisquick Baking Mix
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs, beaten lightly
additional seasonings if desired
canola oil for frying
1
Mix dry ingredients and place in a large plastic freezer bag, Place eggs in a small bowl and beat lightly, combine with ingredients in plastic bag and knead the bag (squeeze) for several minutes until thoroughly combined.If batter seems to thick, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time. Add prepared stalks to bag and shake gently until stalks are covered with the batter. .
2
Pour oil in skillet until it reaches to 1 inch from bottom of pan. Heat oil-you can adapt the old fashion way of knowing when the oil is hot enough, by dropping a few drops of water in the oil. If it bubbles the oil has reached the correct temperature or you can use the correct thermometer to get a reading of 375.
3
Fry the asparagus in the oil in batches for 1 to 2 minutes, turning once until golden brown. Remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with paper towel to drain. Serve with sour cream mixed with sweet pepper relish. The relish is readily available in the condiment aisle of your grocery store, or a dip of your choice.

Several years ago my husband and I spent a vacation in Rhode Island on the shore in a beautiful condo. The rental ad described it as a beautiful water front condo with private beach.  They got the beautiful part right, but it should have read, in the water as this two story building was built on piles with water flowing beneath it at high tide. Although Being very apprehensive the manager assured us that the sound  of the water was very soothing and that the water line was several feet away where the waves break. The first three days were wonderful eating breakfast on the deck watching the surfers from a near by college, enjoying the beach and relaxing with that ebb and flow of the water while reading or watching television.  Honestly, I don't think that I ever finished a chapter in my book or saw the end of a television program before dozing off.

Unfortunately, on the fourth day we awoke to a grey rainy day, and decided to do some shopping and go to an early dinner .Leaving the restaurant we noticed that is was raining much harder and that the wind had picked up.  when we arrived at the condo we had a difficult time maneuvering to the door of the condo because of all the airborne sand which now was covering the deck. Thinking that we will just spend a quiet evening relaxing, those thoughts quickly vanished when we saw flashing on  the television a warning of a ferocious storm with abnormal high tide and winds headed our way. 

To make a long story short, it was a very scary night listening to the smashing waves and the roaring water rushing under the condo and, the howling wind rattling of the windows with a little thunder and lighting thrown in.  I did a lot of praying that night and the next day when were able to get out, we headed straight to the bar on the beach.  Although, I really don"t indulge, I ordered their special and (here goes) the fried asparagus.  It was the first time I had eaten asparagus prepared that way and it was delicious.  The asparagus was served with sour cream and sweet pepper relish. It now is my special spring treat!