BROILED ASPARAGUS

BROILED ASPARAGUS
1 pound fresh asparagus *
1 tablespoon oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon butter, melted optional

Raise your oven rack to the highest setting and pre-heat the broiler. Wash and dry the asparagus. Cut off the tough ends of each spear. I don't recommend using the popular method where you let the stalks snap where they will. I find that they'll snap off pretty much anywhere and you may lose some good bits. If you break them off too low, you'll see that they look kind of stringy. If that happens, just cut or break them off a little higher.

Place the asparagus on a foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with the oil. Toss with your hands to coat well then season with salt and pepper. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and broil about 7-8 minutes turning them after 4 minutes. They should be tender and just starting to brown a little. I recommend turning the baking pan around for more even cooking. Drizzle with butter to serve.

Makes about 2-3 servings
Can be frozen

* The counts are based on 1/2 pound of asparagus after trimming off the tough ends.

Per 1/2 Recipe: 137 Calories; 13g Fat; 3g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 3g Net Carbs
Per 1/3 Recipe: 91 Calories; 9g Fat; 2g Protein; 3g Carbohydrate; 1.5g Dietary Fiber; 1.5g Net Carbs

I don't make asparagus often and I'd never tried broiling it before. I like the way it came out. It was tender on the inside and a little crisp on the outside. Be careful not to let it get too brown or it can taste bitter.

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