Asparagus with Mixed Mushrooms and Parmesan

This quick, simple, and lovely dish can be given four-star elegance if you choose to make the optional asparagus jus. It makes great use of peelings and trimmings and, as Jean-Georges says, “I think the peelings actually have more flavor than the interior.” Do not use pencil-thin asparagus here; in fact, the thicker the better.

These make a nice first course, or a good side dish for