East-West Marinated Asparagus

Ingredients
  • 3lbs fresh asparagus, trimmed (48 to 60 medium-sized spears)
  • 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. vegetable oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tbsp. agave nectar (or honey)
  • Pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 1 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds 1 Thai bird chili, seeded and thinly sliced for garnish, optional
Instructions
Step 1: Cook asparagus in pot of boiling salted water 5 minutes.  Drain, and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.

Step 2: Whisk together soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, oil, garlic, ginger, agave nectar or honey, and cayenne.
Pour over asparagus in large baking dish, (or in a ziploc bag) adding water, if necessary, to submerge asparagus. Cover, and chill 4 hours, or overnight.

Step 3: Drain off marinade, and arrange asparagus on plates or serving platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chili slices, if using.