How To Microwave Asparagus

Peg asked for asparagus recipes. Was going to post to her privately, but it dawned on me that Ive not seen any microwave recipes for this (dont laugh). Once I discovered how tasty and easy this is, its the only way I cook them anymore. This comes from Litton Microwave Cooking Step By Step cookbook. Pour water in 12 X 8 inch dish. Stir in salt and/or sugar. Snap off tough ends from asparagus. Arrange asparagus spears in dish with buds toward center. Cover with ventilated plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH 4 minutes. Rearrange so spears on outside of dish are brought to middle. Keep buds toward center of dish. Cover. Microwave 2 1/2 to 5 minutes more until tender. *My note: I cook for 4 min.- rearrange and cook for 3 more minutes. Serve "as is" or lightly drizzle with squeeze style Parkay (or similar) "butter/marg." You can also drizzle them with the vinegar style pepper sauce as when eating cooked greens. If used without the "butter" type substitute, I dont know the numbers on it but seems like it would have to be a good, low fat veggie dish. "Toothsome" Mike in Houston Posted to EAT-L Digest 16 Mar 97 by MiKicks@AOL.COM on Mar 17, 1997