ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS, PARMESAN AND BROWN BUTTER

Asparagus With Walnuts, Parmesan and Brown Butter image

Here's a sophisticated yet simple way to prepare spring's trademark vegetable. Steam the asparagus. Brown a knob of butter in a sauté pan and toss in a handful of chopped walnuts, garlic and fresh thyme (lemon thyme if you can find it). Whisk in a 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, then pour over your awaiting asparagus. Dive in.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories easy, quick, side dish

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

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Ingredients

1 bunch asparagus (about 3/4 pound), ends trimmed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves, preferably lemon thyme
1 ounce Parmesan, finely grated (1/4 cup)
Kosher salt, as needed
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

Steam the asparagus until just tender, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the foam has subsided and the butter turns a deep golden brown, about 4 minutes. (Take care that it doesn't burn.) Stir in the nuts and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and whisk in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon nut mixture over warm asparagus and serve at once.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 171, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 258 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams