Asparagus Au Gratin

Serves 4

Ingredients 

  • 1kg Asparagus 
  • Salt to taste
  • 3 slices of bread
  • 75g Parmigiano cheese or Sbrinz AOC cheese - grated
  • 75g butter
Method
  • To prepare asparagus, wash, then hold each stem and bend until the lower section snaps away - discard these pieces.
  • Place the asparagus spears in a wide pan and add enough water so as to cover half of them. Add salt to taste. Or steam the asparagus upright in a Universal Pot. They have a particularly intense aroma and hence, flavour, if you cook them in a steamer. 
  • Cook the asparagus until just firm to the bite, about 8 minutes depending on thickness. Drain carefully and place in a buttered gratin dish.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 230°C / 445°F.
  • Remove the crusts from the bread and then crumb in a food processor or chop very finely with a large knife. Mix with the grated cheese.
  • Melt the butter in a small pan.
  • Sprinkle the cheese and bread mixture over the asparagus. Drizzle the butter all over it.
  • Bake the asparagus on the middle shelf of the hot oven for 5-8 minutes - until the topping is golden brown.

Recipe by - Annemarie Wildeisen