Dinner Party Worthy Fresh Asparagus

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Dinner Party Worthy Fresh Asparagus

Description

There's nothing better than fresh asparagus & this is a very tasty way to serve it & impress for a company meal w/a chicken breast & green salad. Sadly fresh asparagus is rarely available here in Iceland & very expensive when I find it, so I don't fix this often like I did in the US. It can be prepared ahead, but don't refrigerate (read note below).

Cooking Time

Preparation Time :45 Min

Cook Time : 10 Min

Total Time : 55 Min

Ingredients

Serves : 6
  • 2 fresh asparagus


  • 6 hard-boiled eggs


  • 6 bacon


  • 1⁄4 butter


  • 1⁄4 flour


  • 2 milk


  • 1 cream cheese


  • 1 lemon-pepper seasoning


  • 6 croutons


  • fresh chives

Directions

  • Wash asparagus well & trim stem-ends so spears are 8" long. Parboil spears till just barely fork-tender, but still fairly crisp. Quickly drain & cover w/cold water to stop cooking process. Drain again when cool & set aside.
  • Cut bacon slices crosswise, fry till crisp & drain well on paper towel.
  • Slice ea egg crosswise into 6 slices.
  • To assemble, pat asparagus spears dry w/paper towel & place equally in 6 groups in a 9"x13" baking dish. Top ea group w/1 sliced egg + equal amts of the crisped bacon pieces along their length & set aside.
  • Microwave cream cheese in sml dish to soften & warm slightly. Set aside.
  • Combine butter & flour over med-low heat to make a roux & gradually add milk. Use the flat a spatula to eliminate any lumps as you go.
  • Do not overcook sauce. When milk has been added & the sauce is smooth & thickening, remove from heat & incorporate the softened cream cheese & lemon pepper seasoning salt.
  • Spoon cream sauce over ea asparagus group, "dust" w/1 tbsp crushed croutons + sprinkle w/fresh chives or parsley.
  • Bake in hot oven (400F) just till bubbling & serve immediately. (Can also microwave till heated through, but do not refrigerate as this will lengthen the cooking time & potentially cause the sauce to separate).
  • NOTES: Sliced fresh mushrooms also work well as an addition -- For a 1-dish meal w/only a salad on the side, use this combo to stuff a well-pounded chicken breast & add mushrooms on top as a finishing touch.
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