Asparagus Negimaki (Japanese Beef Rolls) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

salt
24 thin asparagus spears, trimmed
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup mirin or 1/4 cup dry sherry
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 garlic clove, minced
1 bunch green onion, greens portions only
1 1/2 lbs beef tenderloin
fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation

Preheat grill pan until hot; bring salted water to a boil over medium high heat in a saucepan.
Blanch asparagus spears for 1 minute; drain and plunge in an ice water bath to stop cooking.
In a small saucepan combine soy sauce, sugar, mirin (or dry sherry), ginger, and garlic; heat over medium heat until reduced and slightly thickened; set aside to cool.
Cut green onions in fourths, lengthwise, so you have long strips.
Slice beef in 1/4 inch slices, then pound to tenderize and thin out.
Dip beef slice in soy sauce mixture and place on a clean work surface; season with pepper.
Place an asparagus spear and a piece of green onion on the beef slice and roll up.
Do the same with the remaining asparagus and beef.
Grill 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 soy sauce mixture.