easy broiled asparagus with crispy Parmesan crumbs
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Equipment: Baking sheet, aluminum foil.
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. fresh asparagus, tough ends trimmed
  • 2 T. olive oil
  • Flaky sea salt & freshly ground pepper
  • Handful of plain breadcrumbs (you can use storebought, or you can make your own by whizzing a couple of slices of bread in the blender or food processor)
  • Handful of grated or shredded Parmesan
  • Cooking spray
Method
  1. Prep the broiler: Place the rack 6 inches from the heat source (important!) and turn the broiler to high.
  2. Brown one side of asparagus: Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place your asparagus on the baking sheet, drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt & ground pepper to taste, and toss with your hands to coat. Spread out in a single layer. Broil until lightly browned on the top side, 4-5 minutes.
  3. Add crumbs and cheese: Once one side of the asparagus is nicely browned, turn them over, make into a single layer again but with the stalks close to one another, then sprinkle lightly with the breadcrumbs, and next with the Parmesan. (I haven't given exact measurements because it depends on how much asparagus you have. You should still be able to see the asparagus through the crumbs and cheese. Don't pile it on - see cautionary tale above.) Spray the top lightly with cooking spray for extra crispiness.
  4. Finish browning: Turn on your oven light and get ready to watch BTV (that's Broiler TV)!. Broil an additional 1-2 minutes while watching through the oven window. You really want to watch it to make sure it doesn't burn or catch fire. Once the topping is golden and crisp, remove from oven. Serve hot or warm. Enjoy!!
Recipe by radish*rose at http://radishrose.net/2015/04/04/easy-broiled-asparagus-with-crispy-parmesan-crumbs/