Asparagus Potatoes

4 large baking potatoes, scrubbed
2 tsp olive oil
1 bunch asparagus
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 tbsp margarine or unsalted butter
2 oz Boursin cheese

Hands-on Time: About 20 minutes
Baking Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes

This recipe can easily be modified to serve more or fewer people. The amounts are approximate, so if you want to make just one potato at a time (as I do), go ahead.

The first step in preparing this dish is making sure you handle the asparagus properly when you get them home from the store. They should be stored upright with the bottoms of their stalks submerged in about a half inch of water. Mason jars work well for this.

To bake the potatoes, wash them first (there are many good nutrients in the skin, so you'll want to be sure to eat it!), and then make several cuts in the potato with a knife to let steam out. Wrap each potato in foil. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. You may need to adjust this time; when the potatoes are ready, they should give a little when squeezed.

During the last fifteen minutes or so of baking, begin to prepare the asparagus. Wash them first, then hold the stalk about an inch above the bottom and bend; they should break naturally. Then peel the stalks from about halfway up to the bottom with a vegetable peeler. Finally, cut them into one inch pieces.

Heat the olive oil in a medium-size skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and cook for five minutes. Season them with 1/8 tsp each of the salt and pepper and remove from heat.

When the potatoes are ready, place them on a foil-lined baking sheet and cut them open. Dot them with margarine and season them with the remaining salt and pepper, then top each potato with asparagus. Divide the cheese evenly among the potatoes. The Boursin that I used said it should be left out of the refrigerator for an hour before serving, but for this recipe you can use the cheese straight from the fridge. If you can not find Boursin, any cheese-herb mix will do; you can make your own with cream cheese and chives, for example. Bake the potatoes for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.