Steamed asparagus with parmesan

steamed_asparagus_parmesan.jpg

Serves 2 as a side dish or starter

Preparation time: 5 minutes 
Cooking time: 5 minutes

Ingredients
1 bunch of asparagus, woody end removed 
Olive oil 
Fresh parmesan 
Salt 
Freshly ground black pepper

Method
To remove the woody end from your asparagus, hold the asparagus firmly at the bottom and just below the tip and bend the asparagus until it snaps, it will snap at the perfect point, removing all the tough stalk.   

Put 1 inch of water into a lidded microwave dish which is big enough for the asparagus to lay flat.  Put the asparagus in, add some salt, put on the lid and cook in the microwave for 90 seconds.  If you do not have a microwave you can boil for 2-3 minutes until tender. 

Carefully drain the asparagus and with your potato peeler, shave off large pieces of parmesan.  Drizzle with olive oil and freshly grind black pepper over.