baked asparagus with balsamic butter sauce

Yippee, it is asparagus season!  I've been eating asparagus like there is no tomorrow.  Can't help it.  Like the bell peppers, these have been on sale for dirt cheap and they look amazing fresh!  I found this recipe a couple of years ago and absolutely love it.  If you have never tried asparagus or have never liked it in the past, try them this way and I bet you will become an avid fan.

Baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce

From Allrecipes.com

Serves:  4

1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed

cooking spray

salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons butter (I used ghee)

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2.  Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper.

3.  Bake asparagus 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender.

4.  Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until brown. Remove from heat, and stir in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. Pour over the baked asparagus to serve. 

Note:

If you do not use ghee, then make sure you brown the butter first before adding the soy sauce and balsamic vinegar.  It will give it a wonderful nutty aroma and will take this recipe over the top.