Roasted Asparagus with Brown Butter and Pecorino

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 lbs medium-thick asparagus
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 ounces chunk pecorino romano cheese
• fresh ground black pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. 2

   To make brown butter, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.

3. 3

   Skim off the white foam as it rises to the top.

4. 4

   Continue cooking until the butter is medium brown and smells like roasted nuts.

5. 5

   Snap the ends from the asparagus — they'll break at the point of tenderness.

6. 6

   Or slice the ends off closer to the root end and peel spears with a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler.

7. 7

   Rinse, then soak for a few minutes in a couple of changes of cold, lightly salted water.

8. 8

   Agitate lightly to release grit that may be trapped.

9. 9

   Rinse well again and pat with paper towels.

10. 10

    Brush a shallow baking dish or jelly-roll pan large enough to hold the asparagus in a single layer with a film of brown butter.

11. 11

    Spread asparagus in dish and brush with the remaining butter.

12. 12

    Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.

13. 13

    Shave or grate the cheese over the asparagus, sprinkle with pepper and serve warm.