Asparagus with Lemon-Pepper Butter

You know what this is! It's the first asparagus of the year! WHOO-HOO! I didn't want to do anything much to dilute that wonderful pure asparagus flavour, so I steamed it very simply and served it with lemon-pepper butter.

4 servings
15 minutes - 10 minutes prep time

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon very finely grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon green peppercorns, crushed
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

450 grams (1 pound) asparagus
lemon juice

Make the lemon-pepper butter ahead of time; soften the butter and mix it with the lemon zest, pepper and salt. Roll it in a bit of parchment paper and chill until firm again.

Wash the asparagus and snap off the tough ends. Steam or boil until just tender - probably about 5 minutes. It will turn bright green and then just start to darken slightly. Drain at once and top with slices of the lemon-pepper butter and a good squeeze of lemon juice.