Asparagus Au Gratin
(6 servings)
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup flour
1-3/4 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup half-and-half cream
3/4 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
36 hot, freshly cooked asparagus spears
In saucepan, melt butter, add flour and stir with wire whisk until blended. Meanwhile, bring chicken stock and half-and-half to a boil and add all at once to the butter-flour mixture, stirring vigorously with whisk until sauce is thickened and smooth. Add the Cheddar, Parmesan, salt and pepper and stir until cheeses melt.
Place alternate layers of sauce and asparagus in buttered casserole, ending with a layer of sauce. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and brown quickly under preheated broiler or bake in preheated 450F oven for 5 minutes.