ASPARAGUS NEGIMAKI (JAPANESE BEEF ROOLS)

Steps:

• 1. Preheat a grill pan until hot. Also bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
• 2. Blanch the asparagus spears in the salted water for about a minute. Drain and plunge the asparagus into an ice water bath to stop the cooking.
• 3. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, sugar, mirin, ginger, and garlic. Heat over medium heat until reduced and slightly thickened. Set aside and let cool.
• 4. Cut the green onions, lengthwise, into fourths, so that you have long strips.
• 5. Slice the beef into 1/4-inch slices. Gently pound them to both tenderize and thin out. Dip the slices into the soy sauce mixture and place on a clean work surface. Season with black pepper.
• 6. Place an asparagus spear and a piece of green onion on a beef slice and roll up. Do the same with the remaining asparagus and beef.
• 7. Grill the beef rolls about 2 minutes until slightly charred and medium rare. Turn several times and brush with soy sauce mixture. Remove to a serving platter and drizzle generously with the soy sauce mixture.