| Asparagus is a delicious vegetable, but in addition to | | | | 2 tbsp butter |
| being good tasting, asparagus is full of nutritional | | | | 1 tbsp flour |
| benefits that are good for you. Rich in folic acid, | | | | 1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted |
| potassium, fiber and other vitamins, asparagus is a low | | | | 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese |
| calorie, fat-free food that is also low sodium and | | | | 2 hard boiled eggs, sliced |
| cholesterol free. With all of the bonuses that come | | | | 2 - 15 oz cans asparagus spears, drained |
| with adding the vegetable to your recipes, there's no | | | | ½ cup soft breadcrumbs |
| reason not to give asparagus a try. | | | | Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add |
| When and how should you select and prepare fresh | | | | flour, stirring until smooth. Add soup and cheese; cook |
| asparagus? Asparagus has a rather short growing | | | | until cheese melts and mixture is smooth, stirring |
| season that goes from April to May. Although you can | | | | constantly. Layer half each egg slices, asparagus |
| find asparagus year round, May is the month where | | | | spears, and cheese sauce in a lightly greased 10x6x2 |
| you can find the best choice in produce markets. Make | | | | inch baking dish; repeat layers. Sprinkle with |
| sure to look for stalks with closed, tight tips and bright | | | | breadcrumbs. Bake at 325 F for 30 minutes. Serves 8. |
| green color from top to bottom of the stem. After | | | | Asparagus with Lemon Sauce |
| bringing it home, store fresh asparagus in the | | | | 1 ½ lbs fresh asparagus spears |
| refrigerator and use within 2 days. | | | | 1 egg, beaten |
| Preparation is simple. Holding the base of the stalk | | | | 1/3 cup butter |
| firmly, bend it and the end will break off at the tough | | | | 2 tsp sugar |
| part that isn't good eating. You can then either leave | | | | ½ tsp cornstarch |
| the asparagus stalks whole or cut into pieces or | | | | ¼ cup fresh lemon juice |
| diagonally. To cook, heat to boiling in about half an inch | | | | 2 tsp grated lemon rind |
| of water in a large skillet. Reduce to medium and cook | | | | Snap off tough ends of asparagus. Cook, covered, in |
| for about 5 minutes or until the vegetable is tender | | | | a small amount of boiling water until crisp but tender. |
| crisp. This is just the basic method of cooking | | | | Arrange in a serving dish. Combine egg, butter, sugar, |
| asparagus. Canned asparagus is also easily prepared | | | | and cornstarch in top of double boiler; bring water to a |
| in a variety of casseroles and other family recipes. | | | | boil. Cook for 3 minutes or until thickened. Add lemon |
| There are many very wonderful recipes to try using | | | | juice; cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes or until |
| asparagus; here are a few. Enjoy! | | | | slightly thickened. Pour over asparagus and sprinkle |
| Cheesy Asparagus Casserole | | | | with lemon rind. Serves 4. |