Fool proof food

Recipe for Roast Asparagus with Sea Salt.

THIS rather bizarre way of cooking asparagus comes to us from California. Roast asparagus may sound unlikely, but its flavour is wonderfully intense and particularly good served as part of a plate which includes chargrilled red and yellow peppers, aubergine slices, chargrilled onions and courgettes with marjoram.

Serves 4

1 bunch of fresh Irish asparagus

1 tbsp, approx, extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt (Maldon, if possible)

Trim the asparagus and peel the root ends with a swivel-top peeler. Drizzle the spears with a little olive oil. Toss gently to coat, season with sea salt, put onto a roasting tin and roast in a hot oven, 230C/450F/Gas 8, for 8-10 minutes.

Serve with crusty bread.

Roast Asparagus with Sea Salt and Parmesan

Roast asparagus as in the previous recipe.

Sprinkle a little freshly grated parmesan cheese, preferably parmigiano reggiano, and sea salt over the roast asparagus and eat immediately. Exquisite.