Honey Breadcrumb Asparagus

Ingredients

• 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed (use thick asparagus)
• Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1½ cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1½ tablespoons melted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
2. Poke holes in each asparagus with a fork and toss with ½ teaspoon salt. Drain for 30 minutes on paper towels.
3. Combine one cup parmesan, break crumbs, ½ teaspoon pepper, red pepper and butter in a shallow bowl.
4. Whip egg whites and honey in a mixing bowl until egg whites form soft peaks. Transfer to a 13x9 inch pan.
5. Roll each asparagus stalk in the egg whites (don't worry if they aren't totally coated), and then roll them gently in the bread crumb mixture, patting the bread crumbs along the stalk. Transfer to the foil-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake asparagus for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup asparagus and bake for another 4-5 minutes until cheese and crumbs are a golden brown.
7. Cool for about 5 minutes and serve. (recipe from Framed Cooks)