Sesame Grilled Asparagus

Large asparagus are recommended for this recipe, not the little thin ones. A few large ones are much easier to manage on the grill than a lot of smaller ones. Large asparagus are not tougher than small ones, they simply come from older plants. The flavor of sesame is an excellent accompaniment to asparagus.

1 pound large fresh asparagus

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

2 tablespoons dark sesame oil

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 clove garlic, pressed or minced

Salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons soy sauce

Do not snap the asparagus stalk ends, but remove a slice from the cut end and peel the lower half with a vegetable peeler. Put the sesame seeds in an 8 inch dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned and aromatic, stirring often so as to not burn them. Combine the next 3 ingredients (sesame oil through garlic) in a 3 inch bowl or cup, add the sesame seeds, and stir

Spread the asparagus out on a cookie sheet and drizzle the mixture over them. Roll the asparagus spears to coat them with the mixture.

Prepare the grill for direct cooking over a medium fire. Season the asparagus very lightly with salt and pepper. Using a pair of tongs, lay the asparagus spears directly over the fire perpendicular to the grill’s cooking grates.

Cook for approximately 5 minutes, rolling them 1/4 turn every minute, until grill marks begin to appear. Do not char. Remove to a serving dish and drizzle with the soy sauce and any sesame seed remaining on the cookie sheet.