Asparagus is the Rolls Royce of vegetables. It seems you can always spot some asparagus spears glamorously paired next to a juicy looking steak or atop a fresh salmon fillet at any fancy restaurant. Call it subliminal messaging, but I certainly bought into the hype. Asparagus reliably adds an elegant touch to any meal, while packing in lots of flavors and nutrients. My favorite part? The tips of course; they soak up all the seasonings and just melt in your mouth. Rumor has it Madame de Pompadour had these points d’amour, literally “love tips,” regularly served to her as a delicacy during the French Enlightenment.

Because asparagus has such a great flavor and texture on its own, I usually like preparing it with very few ingredients – a little butter, lemon juice, and fresh garlic will usually do the trick. I decided to add just a tablespoon of miso paste for some extra umami and Asian flair; it really enhances the savory flavor of the dish without distracting you from the other ingredients in the mix. Serve these up with some fresh cracked pepper and a poached egg, a la David Chang, for a five star touch.