Savoury Side Dish
Lemon Roasted Asparagus Gratin
The fresh taste of asparagus gets even better when paired with lemon and a crisp cheese topping.
Preparation Time:
10 Minutes
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)