Pan Roasted Asparagus With Toasted Garlic and Parmesan

Submitted by gailanng

"From: "The Best Skillet Recipes" by the editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, America's Test Kitchen, 2009."

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 lbs thick asparagus, tough ends trimmed (about 2 bunches, stalks about 1/2 inch thick)
• salt
• ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

directions

1. In a 12-inch skillet, over medium, heat the oil.
2. Add the garlic and cook until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Careful not to burn. Burnt garlic tastes bitter. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the garlic to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside. Add the butter to the skillet and set over medium-high. When the butter has melted, add half of the asparagus with the tips pointing in one direction, and the remaining spears pointing in the opposite direction. (This improves browning.) Sprinkle the asparagus with 1/4 teaspoons salt; using tongs, arrange the spears in an even layer. (They won't quite fit into a single layer.) Cover and cook until the spears are bright green and still crisp, about 5 minutes.
3. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the asparagus to a serving plate. Sprinkle with the toasted garlic and Parmesan cheese. Serve with lemon wedges.