Serves 6–8

The shrimp paste in this recipe adds a slightly salty flavor that is impossible to pinpoint unless you saw the cook add it to the pot. Your dinner guests will beg for your secret ingredient. Don't tell.

Southeast Asian Asparagus

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 teaspoon fish sauce

1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

illustration cup toasted peanuts

  1. Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus and sauté for 3 minutes.
  2. Add the fish sauce, sesame seeds, and peanuts. Sauté for 2 more minutes or until the asparagus is done to your liking.