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Simplest Asparagus Gratin

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Makes 4 servings 1x

Time 10 minutes, with cooked asparagus

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil for the pan
  • 1 1/2–2 pounds cooked asparagus
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Bread Crumbs
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish
  • Pinch paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Turn on the broiler; adjust the rack to about 4 inches from the heat source. Grease a shallow medium baking pan or gratin dish with the butter.
  2. Put the asparagus in the dish, sprinkle with salt and pepper, cover with the cheese, and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden. Sprinkle with a few more grinds pepper, the parsley, and the paprika if you like, and serve.

— Recipe from How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

Recipe variations

SIMPLEST ONION GRATIN Sweet and satisfying: Replace the asparagus with about 5 cups lightly pan-cooked onion.

MUSHROOM AND ROQUEFORT GRATIN Any mushrooms and any blue cheese will work nicely: Replace the asparagus with about 5 cups sautéed mushrooms and use crumbled Roquefort for all or part of the cheese.

ROASTED BEET AND GOAT CHEESE GRATIN A wonderful, familiar combination: Replace the asparagus with about 5 cups sliced peeled roasted beets and use crumbled goat cheese for the cheese and thyme leaves instead of parsley. Sprinkle the beets with the thyme leaves, then the goat cheese, and proceed with the recipe.

BROCCOLI OR CAULIFLOWER AND PESTO GRATIN Pesto beyond pasta: Replace the asparagus with about 5 cups chopped boiled or steamed broccoli or cauliflower and use Parmesan for the cheese. Omit the parsley. In Step 2, toss the broccoli or cauliflower with a cup or so Pesto, sprinkle with the Parmesan, and proceed with the recipe.