Simplest Asparagus Gratin

Name: Simplest Asparagus Gratin
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H20M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil for the pan; Salt and pepper; 1 1/2 to 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed; 6 ounces Gruyere or Swiss cheese, cut into large cubes; 8 spring fresh flat-leaf parsley; About 1/2 large loaf French or Italian bread, preferably a day or two old; Pinch paprika, optional

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Level: Easy

Total: 20 min
Active: 15 min

Yield: 4 servings

Cover cooked asparagus with cheese, stick it under the broiler until the top is golden brown and crisp around the edges, and you have a fabulous and elegant dish. You can prepare any of the variations using asparagus instead of the suggested alternative vegetable. Other cooked vegetables you can use: green or wax beans, artichoke hearts, fennel, eggplant, leeks, spinach, celery root, parsnips, zucchini, winter squash or sweet potatoes.

Level: Easy

Total: 20 min
Active: 15 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

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1 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil for the pan

Salt and pepper

1 1/2 to 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed

6 ounces Gruyere or Swiss cheese, cut into large cubes

8 spring fresh flat-leaf parsley

About 1/2 large loaf French or Italian bread, preferably a day or two old

Pinch paprika, optional

Directions

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9m Easy 97%

CLASS

Adjust an oven rack to about 4 inches from the heat source; turn on the broiler. Grease a shallow medium baking pan or gratin dish with the butter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until bright green and tender, about 5 minutes. Remove to an ice bath to stop the cooking then drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Add the cheese to the food processor and pulse until large crumbs form. Add the parsley and pulse 3 or 4 more times until it is about the same size as the cheese crumbs. Tear the bread into pieces and add to the food processor. Pulse a few times, then let the machine run for a few seconds, until coarsely chopped.
Put the asparagus in the dish and top with the breadcrumb mixture. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden. Sprinkle with a few grinds pepper and the paprika if you like, and serve.

Adapted from HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING VEGETARIAN, Completely Revised Tenth Anniversary Edition by Mark Bittman. Copyright © 2017 by Double B Publishing, Inc. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.