Asparagus Mimosa

Description
As spring slips into summer, May is the season to enjoy the bounty of fresh young produce, especially home-grown asparagus, which make a brief appearance at this season.

Ingredients
Serves: 4


 * 450 Gram Medium asparagus spears (1 lb)
 * 50 Gram Butter (2 oz)
 * 100 Gram Fresh white breadcrumbs (4 oz)
 * 1 Tablespoon Fresh parsley, finely chopped
 * 1 Hard boiled egg yolk, mashed
 * Salt and pepper
 * Melted butter, to serve

Directions
Trim the asparagus spears to the same length, leaving about 7.5 cm (3 inches) before the green part begins.

Lay them on a piece of folded foil wide enough to support the spears during cooking and long enough to extend at each end to form 'lifters'. Pierce the centre of the foil strip.

Place the asparagus on the foil in a wide shallow pan and pour over lightly salted water just to cover. Bring to the boil then cook gently for about 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears, or until tender but not broken.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a frying pan, add the breadcrumbs and toss over a moderate heat until golden brown. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley and egg yolk. Season to taste and keep hot.