Gratinated Asparagus

Gratinated asparagus is a simple and tasty dish, perfect as a side that maintains the crunchiness of the asparagus under a delicious golden crust.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch of asparagus (about 500g)
• 50g of grated Parmesan cheese
• Breadcrumbs as needed
• 2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and black pepper as needed
• 1 clove of garlic (optional)
• Butter (optional, for a richer version)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Clean the asparagus by removing the woody part of the stem, and if necessary, peel the lower part with a vegetable peeler. Rinse the asparagus under running water.
3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the asparagus for 3-4 minutes to soften them slightly. Drain and plunge them into cold water to preserve their color.
4. Dry the asparagus with kitchen paper and arrange them in a single row on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. If you wish to add flavor, finely chop the garlic clove and distribute it over the asparagus.
5. Season the asparagus with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.
6. Sprinkle the asparagus with grated Parmesan cheese and then with a dusting of breadcrumbs. If you want a richer gratin, dot with small pieces of butter here and there.
7. Bake the asparagus for about 15-20 minutes or until the surface is golden and crispy.
8. Serve hot as a side dish.

Trivia

Gratin is a French culinary technique that involves sprinkling the dish with grated cheese or breadcrumbs and then cooking it in the oven or under the grill until a golden and crispy crust forms. In Italy, gratin is very commonly used not only with vegetables but also with pasta, as in the case of the famous baked pasta.