ASPARAGUS WITH CREAM SAUCE

Asparagus with Cream Sauce image

Provided by Edna Lewis

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound asparagus, trimmed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices good-quality white bread such as a pullman loaf, crusts discarded
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup finely chopped cooked sliced Virginia country ham
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic

Steps:

Steam asparagus in a steamer rack over boiling water, covered, until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.
Put broiler pan (with unlined rack) in broiler and preheat broiler 5 minutes.
Generously butter bread slices on 1 side, then halve diagonally. Arrange bread, buttered sides up, on rack of hot broiler pan and broil 4 to 5 inches from heat until golden-brown in some spots and undersides are toasted, 2 to 3 minutes (watch carefully).
Briskly simmer cream, ham, garlic, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a 12-inch heavy skillet, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened and is reduced to about 3/4 cup, about 3 minutes. (If necessary, keep warm, covered.)
Arrange asparagus on toast, then stir sauce and spoon over asparagus.