Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
What Makes This Dish So Tasty
Chef Tips
- Blanch the asparagus briefly in boiling water to keep it bright green and tender-crisp.
- Toast the sesame seeds lightly in a dry pan to enhance their flavor before adding.
Step 1
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Toss in the sesame seeds and cook them, stirring often, until they turn a nice golden brown and smell toasty—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Once toasted, stir in the lemon juice, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper, mixing everything well.
Step 2
Set up a steamer by placing a steamer basket or insert into a saucepan filled with a bit of water—make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a boil, then add the asparagus, cover the pot, and steam the spears until they’re tender but still have a bit of crunch, about 2 to 4 minutes.
Step 3
Finally, transfer the asparagus to a serving dish and pour the warm sesame butter sauce over the top. Give it a gentle toss if you like, and serve immediately.
