Roasted Asparagus with Soy-Sesame Glaze

Ingredients

• 1 lb. asparagus, thick spears preferred for roasting
• 1 T + 1 tsp. peanut oil
• 1 T soy sauce
• 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
• 2 tsp. sesame seeds, toasted

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400 F. Snap 1 piece of asparagus to find where the tough end gives way, then trim the rest of the spears to match that length.
2. Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Brush it with the 1 T of oil, rolling the spears around so both sides get coated. If a little oil is left over, no problem; stir it into the glaze.
3. Roast the asparagus for about 15 minutes, giving the pan a shake once or twice if you want the spears to turn as they cook.
4. As the asparagus cooks, whisk the 1 tsp. oil with the soy sauce and sesame oil.
5. When the asparagus has begun to soften and is just picking up a bit of color, take the baking sheet out and brush the spears with the soy-sesame glaze. Return the pan to the oven and continue roasting for 5-7 minutes more, using the shorter end of that range for thinner spears and the longer end for thicker ones.
6. During the last stretch of roasting, add the sesame seeds to a dry pan and toast them over a hot stove for just over one minute, stopping when they are only beginning to color.
7. Take the asparagus out of the oven, scatter the toasted sesame seeds over the top, and serve hot.