Baking asparagus eliminates all the guesswork, because oven heat is constant and they cook more evenly. Put the spears in a casserole, dot them with margarine, and bake. When crisp tender, sprinkle on some lemon juice and toasted walnuts.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 30 to 35 minutes
Advance Prep: Asparagus and topping may be refrigerated, separately, overnight.

Asparagus

• 2 to 3 pounds asparagus, the thinnest spears available
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon nondairy or regular margarine or
• butter, cut into small pieces

Walnut Topping

• 3 tablespoons walnut oil or olive oil
• 1-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts,
• toasted at 350 degrees F. until golden, about 10 minutes

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Fast and Festive Meals for the Jewish Holidays

Marlene Sorosky is used to winning awards. She won an IACP award for her Dessert Lovers Cookbook and a James Beard Award for Entertaining on the Run.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Break off woody stems of asparagus. If stalks are thick, peel with a vegetable peeler; pulling from stem end toward tip. (Pencil thin spears do not need peeling.) Place in a greased or sprayed 9 x l3 inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Dot with margarine. Cover with foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until tender but still crisp. (Asparagus may be baked 1 day ahead and reheated in microwave.)

To Make Topping:

In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. (Topping may be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before using.)

Before Serving:
Spoon topping over asparagus and sprinkle with walnuts.

Change of Pace:
Substitute hazelnut oil for walnut oil and hazelnuts for the walnuts.

Fast & Festive Meals For The Jewish Holidays
By Marlene Sorosky
William Morrow & Company
Publication date: September 1997
Hardback, $27.00
ISBN: 0-688-14570-1
Recipe Reprinted by permission.