re: Let's talk roasted asparagus

While we're talking asparagus, I'll share this recipe from the Silver Spoon's "Pasta" Cookbook.
It's basically a layered macaroni and cheese with asparagus dish. Great with steaks, chicken or seafood.
The method for cooking the asparagus is also pretty good.

Pasta al Forno con Asparagi

Baked Pasta with Asparagus

14 oz penne or other short pasta

4 1/2 oz butter

2 lb asparagus, washed, tough stalks removed

and cut into short lengths

A little chicken stock

10 oz ricotta or similar curd cheese

1 tbsp olive oil

4 1/2 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese

3 eggs

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350

Melt 1 1/2 oz of the butter in a pan and cook the asparagus over a low heat for about 2o minutes. Every so often, add a little stock to keep moist. When the asparagus is cooked, season to taste.

While the asparagus is cooking, process the ricotta cheese with the oil. Cook the pasta for half the time stated on the packet. Drain and immediately toss in the remaining butter and half the cheese.

Butter a deep oven dish. Make a thin layer of pasta, then one of asparagus, then one of pasta again and then one of ricotta.

Repeat, finishing with a layer of pasta.

Beat together the eggs and the remaining cheese and pour over the top. Sprinke with black pepper. Bake for 20 minutes.