Scorched asparagus with toasted sesame seeds

The charred flavour of this simple veggie dish adds asparagus to the top of your side dish list

Serves: 4 as a side dish or starter

Ingredients:

15ml (1 tbsp) white sesame seeds

30ml (2 tbsp) olive oil

2 bunches fresh slim asparagus

Coarse salt, to taste

10ml (2 tsp) balsamic vinegar

Method:

1) Dry-fry the sesame seeds in a heavy-based pan until lightly toasted, moving them about and watching like a hawk (they burn easily). Remove and set aside.

2) Heat the oil in the same pan almost to smoke point and flash-fry the asparagus on highest heat until tender and slightly scorched.

3) Season with salt, transfer to a serving plate, drizzle with balsamic and scatter sesame seeds on top.

4) Serve hot or cold.