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Broiled Asparagus with Cheesy Bread Crumbs

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on July 27, 2011

Yield

Serves 4

Broiled Asparagus with Cheesy Bread Crumbs

Ingredients

¼ cup plain bread crumbs 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, meltedSalt and pepper ⅓ cup Boursin cheese with garlic and herbs 3 tablespoons heavy cream ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest 2 pounds asparagus, tough ends snapped off

Before You Begin

Peppered Boursin cheese also works well in this recipe.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack so that it sits 6 inches below heating element and heat broiler. Toss bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter in bowl and season with salt and pepper. Using fork, mix cheese, cream, and lemon zest in another bowl until paste forms.
  2. Toss asparagus with remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter on large rimmed baking sheet and season well with salt and pepper. Spread asparagus in single layer on baking sheet and broil, shaking pan halfway through, until asparagus is tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Transfer asparagus to broilersafe baking dish. Spoon cheese mixture over asparagus and toss to coat. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and broil until lightly browned, 30 to 60 seconds. Serve.
Broiled Asparagus with Cheesy Bread Crumbs

Broiled Asparagus with Cheesy Bread Crumbs

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

¼ cup plain bread crumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Salt and pepper
⅓ cup Boursin cheese with garlic and herbs
3 tablespoons heavy cream
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 pounds asparagus, tough ends snapped off

Ingredients

¼ cup plain bread crumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Salt and pepper
⅓ cup Boursin cheese with garlic and herbs
3 tablespoons heavy cream
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 pounds asparagus, tough ends snapped off

Ingredients

¼ cup plain bread crumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Salt and pepper
⅓ cup Boursin cheese with garlic and herbs
3 tablespoons heavy cream
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 pounds asparagus, tough ends snapped off

Why This Recipe Works

Our Broiled Asparagus with Cheesy Bread Crumbs recipe is a perfect way to emphasize this delicious springtime vegetable. Broiling the asparagus stalks intensifies their flavor. We found that Boursin cheese laced with garlic and herbs to be a perfect accompaniment when spread over the asparagus and covered with bread crumbs. This recipe produces a quick, flavorful vegetable that is the perfect side dish to any main course.

Before You Begin

Peppered Boursin cheese also works well in this recipe.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack so that it sits 6 inches below heating element and heat broiler. Toss bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter in bowl and season with salt and pepper. Using fork, mix cheese, cream, and lemon zest in another bowl until paste forms.
  2. Toss asparagus with remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter on large rimmed baking sheet and season well with salt and pepper. Spread asparagus in single layer on baking sheet and broil, shaking pan halfway through, until asparagus is tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Transfer asparagus to broilersafe baking dish. Spoon cheese mixture over asparagus and toss to coat. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and broil until lightly browned, 30 to 60 seconds. Serve.

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