Asparagus with Bacon

Ingredients

 * 1½ lbs asparagus cut diagonally into 1" pieces
 * 2 tbsp fresh parsley, snipped
 * 2 tbsp lemon juice
 * ¼ tsp salt
 * 2 slice bacon, fried and chopped

Directions

 * 1) Place steamer basket in ½" water in saucepan or skillet (water should not touch the bottom of basket).
 * 2) Place lower stalk pieces in basket.
 * 3) Cover tightly and heat to boiling; reduce heat.
 * 4) Steam 4 minutes.
 * 5) Add tips.
 * 6) Cover tightly and steam until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes longer.
 * 7) toss asparagus with parsley, lemon juice and salt.
 * 8) Sprinkle with bacon.

Microwave directions

 * 1) Place asparagus, ½ cup water and ¼ teaspoon salt in 1 ½-quart microwavable casserole.
 * 2) Cover tightly and microwave on high (100% depending how powerful the microwave is) 3 minutes, less if very powerful (my microwave is an older one, in fact 20 years); stir.
 * 3) Cover and microwave until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
 * 4) Let stand 1 minutes; drain.
 * 5) Continue as directed.

Nutritional information
Serving size ¾ cup. Food exchanges per serving: 1 vegetable exchanges + maybe ½ high-fat meat exchange; cal: 75; (bacon listed as saturated fat, but we wouldn't use it anyhow would we).