Ham and Asparagus Casserole

Ingredients

• 500 g white asparagus
• 50 g green asparagus
• 150 g cooked ham
• 150 g butter cheese (or mozzarella)
• 1 small onion
• 1 tbsp butter
• 100 ml White wine
• 100 ml Vegetable broth
• 200 g whipping cream
• 1 tsp starch powder
• Salt
• Pepper (freshly ground)
• nutmeg

Instructions

1. 1.

   Peel the white asparagus and trim the ends. Peel only the lower third of the green asparagus and cut into sticks. Boil the white asparagus in salted water for about 5 minutes, then add the green asparagus and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove, shock in cold water, and drain thoroughly.

2. 2.

   Preheat the oven to 220 °C (425 °F) with top/bottom heat. Slice the ham into strips. Grate the cheese. Peel and finely dice the onion. Melt butter in a saucepan, sauté the onion until translucent. Add white wine and reduce slightly. Pour in vegetable broth and cream; simmer gently for about 3 minutes. Whisk starch with one tablespoon of cold water, add to the sauce, and cook for another minute. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Arrange asparagus in a baking dish, spread ham over it, pour the sauce on top, sprinkle cheese, and bake in the preheated oven at 220 °C for about 15–20 minutes until golden.

3. 3.

   Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.