Dinner Party Worthy Fresh Asparagus

Ingredients

• 2 lbs fresh asparagus
• 6 hard-boiled eggs (sliced)
• 6 slices bacon (sliced crosswise & crisped)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon mccormick lemon-pepper seasoning
• 6 tablespoons crushed croutons (cheese flavored)
• chopped fresh chives (to garnish, or parsley)

Directions

1. 1

   Wash asparagus well & trim stem-ends so spears are 8" long. Parboil spears till just barely fork-tender, but still fairly crisp. Quickly drain & cover w/cold water to stop cooking process. Drain again when cool & set aside.

2. 2

   Cut bacon slices crosswise, fry till crisp & drain well on paper towel.

3. 3

   Slice ea egg crosswise into 6 slices.

4. 4

   To assemble, pat asparagus spears dry w/paper towel & place equally in 6 groups in a 9"x13" baking dish. Top ea group w/1 sliced egg + equal amts of the crisped bacon pieces along their length & set aside.

5. 5

   Microwave cream cheese in sml dish to soften & warm slightly. Set aside.

6. 6

   Combine butter & flour over med-low heat to make a roux & gradually add milk. Use the flat a spatula to eliminate any lumps as you go.

7. 7

   Do not overcook sauce. When milk has been added & the sauce is smooth & thickening, remove from heat & incorporate the softened cream cheese & lemon pepper seasoning salt.

8. 8

   Spoon cream sauce over ea asparagus group, "dust" w/1 tbsp crushed croutons + sprinkle w/fresh chives or parsley.

9. 9

   Bake in hot oven (400F) just till bubbling & serve immediately. (Can also microwave till heated through, but do not refrigerate as this will lengthen the cooking time & potentially cause the sauce to separate).

10. 10

    NOTES: Sliced fresh mushrooms also work well as an addition -- For a 1-dish meal w/only a salad on the side, use this combo to stuff a well-pounded chicken breast & add mushrooms on top as a finishing touch.