Stir-Fried Asparagus in Black Bean Sauce

Asparagus is expensive even when in season, but it is so exquisite a treat it is worth buying as often as you can. Not a traditional ingredient of Southeast Asian cuisines, it has been very quickly incorporated during this century. It goes well with this pungent and robust black bean sauce, a traditional Chinese seasoning. With rice and another light dish, this recipe forms a complete meal for two.