Some day, we’ll look back on this and wonder “Why such a small lunch?” At the moment, we are all staying home due to the covid-19 pandemic. If you are the parent in a family unit, your normal day probably includes giving your children a quick breakfast, sending them off to school or daycare, kissing your spouse good-bye and heading off to work. The end of a long day might include picking up some take-out on the way home or tossing a frozen pizza in the oven.

NOW, everyone is at home. The kids look in the refrigerator every 15 minutes or, if no children, your spouse looks hopefully at you at about 11:45 and says “What’s for lunch?”

Lunch? I have to cook in the middle of the day? I’m still in my pajamas! Now is the time to try some new recipes, and the one in the above photo looks fancy, tastes fabulous and is SO easy.

Go in search of some new recipes. I found this one in the HyVee “Seasons” magazine, and I simply adapted it to fit what I had on hand and just for two people. Thanks, HyVee!

Use the kind of cheeses you have. Don’t have Italian seasoning? Use some dried oregano and basil, maybe some fennel, a little rosemary.

Garlic Cheese Asparagus

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 3/4 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt to taste
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1 ounce shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup reduced fat or non fat milk
• 1 ounce low-fat cream cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 or 2 Tablespoons crushed croutons

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 7 x 11 baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread trimmed asparagus in a single layer in dish.

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Brush oil mixture over asparagus. Roast for 10 minutes, or until asparagus is crisp tender. Remove dish from oven. Preheat broiler to HI.

For sauce, toss together cheddar cheese and flour; set aside. Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan. Whisk in cream cheese. Add Cheddar cheese mixture. Cook and stir over low heat until cheese are melted and sauce is slightly thickened.

Spoon cheese sauce over asparagus. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Broil for 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown (don’t walk away!). Remove from oven. Sprinkle with croutons and, if desired, some kind of fresh green herb.