Sesame Grilled Asparagus

Ingredients:

•     Wooden toothpicks or bamboo skewers 
•     1 pound asparagus 
•     2 tablespoons dark sesame oil 
•     1 tablespoon soy sauce 
•     1 clove garlic, minced 
•     2 tablespoons sesame seeds 
•     Salt and black pepper

In a shallow pan, soak skewers in cold water for 1 hour, then drain and set aside.

  Preheat grill to high. Snap off the woody bases of the asparagus and discard. Skewer 4 or 5 asparagus spears together, using the toothpicks or 2 bamboo skewers, forming a raft shape.

  In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, and garlic and stir with a fork to mix. Brush this mixture on the asparagus rafts on both sides. Season the asparagus with a little salt and lots of pepper.

  When ready to cook, place the asparagus rafts on the hot grate and grill until nicely browned on both sides, 2 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds as they grill. You can serve the asparagus as rafts or unskewered.