Asparagus Parmesan Garlic Spears

This is a wonderful recipe for asparagus, you can cook the asparagus hours or even a day in advance and refrigerate, just warm the spears slightly in the microwave before placing them in the baking dish and broiling them. Adjust the amount of garlic to taste.

• Ready In: 23 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  lbs fresh asparagus, ends trimmed
• 7  tablespoons butter
• 3⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 1  teaspoon dried basil (or use 1 tablespoon fresh basil)
• 1  tablespoon  minced fresh garlic (or to taste)
• 1  tablespoon fresh lemon juice
•  black pepper

Directions

1. Butter a shallow broiler-proof casserole dish.
2. Cook the fresh asparagus in boiling lightly salted water until crisp-tender (about 3-4 minutes) drain and plunge into cool water, drain again and pat dry well with paper towels.
3. Arrange the asparagus spears in a buttered baking dish.
4. Set oven to broil heat.
5. In a bowl beat butter with Parmesan cheese, basil, garlic, lemon juice and black pepper until well combined, then season with salt.
6. Dollup/drop the butter mixture over the asparagus in the baking dish by heaping teaspoonfuls.
7. Broil until topping browns (watch closely to avoid burning!) about 2-3 minutes.
8. Best served hot.