Debs Best Recipes  

An elegant side dish. Great with lamb or beef.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

• 3 strips bacon (optional)
• 2 pounds asparagus stalks, washed and trimmed
• 3 T extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and black pepper
• 1 4 oz log soft fresh goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 t fresh lemon juice
• 1 t grated lemon peel

Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp. Transfer to paper towels to cool. Crumble bacon; set aside. Position rack in center of oven. Arrange asparagus on large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and turn asparagus to coat well. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast asparagus until crisp-tender when pierced with knife, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and arrange asparagus in single layer on platter. Sprinkle with goat cheese, then bacon. Drizzle with lemon juice and grated lemon peel.

Makes 6 servings.