Difficulty Level Easy

I usually boil my asparagus in a frying pan, because my steamer is kept in an inconvenient place and I'm usually too lazy to haul it out. As with the roast asparagus, break off the bottom inch. Bring about an inch of water to the boil in a frying pan that will hold the asparagus without having to break it in half. Place the asparagus in the water and cook until tender. If your asparagus is thin and young, it will only take 4 or 5 minutes. If it's thicker or a bit tougher it may take more like 8 minutes. Don't overcook it, because there is nothing more unappetizing than mushy asparagus. Once it is cooked drain into a colander and then rinse with cold water otherwise it will continue cooking. You can use as much or as little garlic as you like. My son made this one, so it was pretty garlicky. I didn't have any dry mustard, so he tossed in a teaspoon of Dijon.

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