Steamed Asparagus With Tomato-Basil Dip - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. chopped fresh basil
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 Tbsp. ground rind of lemon
4 lb. fresh asparagus

Preparation

Whisk together first 5 ingredients until blended. May chill up to 2 days, if desired.
Snap off tough ends of asparagus; remove scales with vegetable peeler, if desired. Cook in boiling water to cover 3 minutes until crisp tender.
Plunge asparagus into ice water to stop the cooking process.
Drain. Cover and chill until ready to serve with dip.
Yields 12 to 15 servings.