1. Asparagus - 1 pound, stems trimmed. 2. Water - 1 cup. Also needed: Knife, cutting board, measuring cups, pan with lid and a collapsible steamer basket.
Instructions: 1. Place water in steamer (just enough, so the bottom of the steamer basket will not touch the water), and arrange asparagus spears in the steamer basket. Place the basket in the pan and cover. 2. When water comes to a rapid boil, add the asparagus and cook to turn it as tender as you want. (An asparagus of average thickness will take 7 minutes; thicker stalks take more time and very thin ones - only a few mins.) 3. Add salt and pepper. Serve instantly. If you like, you may add a little butter.