Gay Lea Recipes - Lemon Roasted Asparagus Gratin (Savoury Side Dish)

Lemon Roasted Asparagus Gratin

(Savoury Side Dish)

Preparation time: 10 Minutes

The fresh taste of asparagus gets even better when paired with lemon and a crisp cheese topping.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 lbs asparagus spears, trimmed 750 g

2 tbsp butter, softened 30 mL

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp grated lemon zest 2 mL

1/4 tsp pepper 1 mL

pinch salt

1 cup coarse fresh bread crumbs 250 mL

1 cup shredded Canadian Swiss, old cheddar, or Gouda cheese 250 mL

2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 30 mL

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425F (220C). Spread asparagus evenly in a 13 x 9-inch (3 L) glass baking dish.

In a small bowl, mash together butter, garlic, lemon zest, pepper and salt. Drop in small dots over asparagus spears in a baking dish. Roast for about 15 minutes, shaking dish halfway to coat asparagus in butter, or until asparagus is just tender-crisp and starting to brown.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine bread crumbs, cheese and lemon juice; sprinkle over asparagus and bake for about 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden.

Tips:

In place of asparagus, substiture 6 cups of broccoli and/or cauliflower florets or 1 lb (500 g) trimmed green beans. Increase roasting time in step 2 to 25 minutes.

Credit: Dairy Farmers of Canada (www.dairygoodness.ca)