Asian Marinated Asparagus

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons agave nectar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Directions

Fill a large bowl with with cold water; add ice.

Bring a pot of water to a boil; cook asparagus in boiling water until bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain asparagus and plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain and transfer asparagus to a baking dish.

Whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, vegetable oil, agave nectar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl; pour marinade over asparagus, adding water if necessary to submerge asparagus. Cover baking dish and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

Drain marinade and sprinkle sesame seeds over asparagus before serving.