Asparagus Gratin Recipe

Asparagus Gratin Recipe

Asparagus is on sale this week for a great price and my family loves it so I wanted to try some new recipes and this one is a winner! 

Ingredients:

2 pounds asparagus

3 cups of water 

Salt and pepper (I omitted the salt)

2 tbsp butter or whatever you prefer 

2 tbsp flour ( I used whole wheat flour)

3/4 cup Parmesan cheese ( I used a whole cup and omitted the Monterey Jack cheese)

1/2 cup Monterey Jack shredded cheese

Snap the woody ends off the asparagus and set them to the side do not discard just yet. 

Bring water to a boil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add asparagus ends to boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon and remove ends and throw away (this step basically is making an asparagus stock). Now add the asparagus and cook for 2-4 minutes until nearly tender. Remove asparagus and add to a sprayed baking dish. Pour asparagus water in a measuring cup and you will need 1 cup. 

Now in empty skillet melt butter over medium heat, add flour and cook until a golden brown (if using wheat flour it takes about 2 minutes). Whisk in the cup of asparagus water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thick 3-5 minutes. Whisk in your cheese and salt and pepper (if you choose to use it, I omitted the salt). Once cheese is melted pour over the asparagus. 

Cook under the broil until the cheese is a nice golden brown (I didn't let it go that long I don't like crunchy cheese). 

Yum!