Asparagi alla Parmigiana

Ingredients

• 3 lbs asparagus
• salt to taste
• .5 C unsalted butter, cut into small bits
• freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 C grated Parmigiane Reggiano cheese

Process

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Butter a baking dish large enough to accomodate with only a little overlapping.
3. Trim any tough ends from the asparagus.
4. In a large frying pan, pour water to a depth of about 1". Bring to boil, add the asparagus and salt.
5. Cook until the spears are just beginning to bend when they are lifted by the stem end, 5-7 minutes (less for thinner asparagus).
6. Drain and rinse under cold water.
7. Place the asparagus un the prepared dish, overlapping slightly.
8. Dot with butter and sprinkle with the pepper and cheese.
9. Bake until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.
10. Serve hot, directly from the dish.