Hot Asparagus Starter

Ingredients

• 1.460 gram canned asparagus, drained; liquid reserved for sauce
• 2.60 gram butter, for white sauce
• 3.30 millilitre plain flour, 2 tablespoons; for white sauce
• 4.125 millilitre cream, ½ cup; for white sauce
• 5.150 millilitre milk, ¼ pint; for white sauce
• 6.cheddar cheese, grated; generous amount for topping
• 7.sweet paprika, for garnish; sprinkled at end

Method

1. 1.Drain the can of asparagus, reserving the liquid.
2. 2.Put asparagus in a fireproof plate.
3. 3.Make a white sauce with the butter, flour, cream, milk and asparagus liquid.
4. 4.Pour white sauce over the asparagus.
5. 5.Sprinkle generously with the grated cheddar cheese.
6. 6.Bake at 200°C (400°F) until the cheese melts.
7. 7.Sprinkle with paprika and serve.

Notes

• A simple, elegant starter. The asparagus liquid from the tin adds extra flavour to the sauce.