Asparagus Sformato - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 pound fresh thin asparagus, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup pancetta bacon, diced
1 teaspoon butter
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
5 eggs
1/3 cup milk

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spread asparagus out in one layer. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper; mix.
Bake in the preheated oven until asparagus is tender, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, saute pancetta in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Remove asparagus from the oven. Cut off asparagus tips and set aside. Puree asparagus stalks in a blender.
Reduce oven temperature to 315 degrees F (160 degrees C). Grease a loaf pan with butter and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.
Beat eggs with an electric mixer until foamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully fold in milk, remaining Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Fold in pureed asparagus. Pour mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Place asparagus tips on top in a decorative pattern.
Bake in the preheated oven until sformato is lightly browned and starts to pull away from the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven, cool for a few minutes, and serve.