Adapted from Joy of Cooking: All About Vegetarian
Serves: 4-6
Time to prepare: 15 minutes (+ 1 hour chilling)

• 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 4 tsp soy sauce
• 2 ^1/2 tbsp sugar (or sub honey)
  
• 4 tsp sesame seeds (or sub pistachios)
  
• 1 ^1/2 lbs. asparagus, cut diagonally in 2” pieces.
  

In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar to
make dressing. Set aside. Toast sesame seeds in a small skillet until golden
brown. Immediately stir sesame seeds into dressing. Place asparagus in a large
pot of boiling water, and cook for no more than 1 ½ minutes if asparagus is
thin, or 2 1/2 minutes if asparagus is thick. Immediately drain and refill
the pot with cold running water until all the heat has left the asparagus.
Drain again and dry thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate until the asparagus is
cold (about 1 hour). Toss with the dressing to serve.

Variations:

• Add fresh or ground ginger.