Asparagus with citrusy breadcrumbs

Fresh, elegant, and full of sunny flavor, this asparagus side dish turns a handful of simple ingredients into something special. Tender spears of asparagus get a quick stir-fry until bright and crisp-tender, then meet a golden shower of buttery breadcrumbs kissed with fragrant orange rind. A scattering of fresh tarragon and delicate flakes of Parmesan bring it all together with an aromatic, savory finish. It's a dish that celebrates the joyful, unfussy spirit of Mediterranean cooking, where fresh produce takes center stage. Best of all, it lands on the table in about 20 minutes, making it a wonderfully easy way to add color, crunch, and a touch of class to any meal.

Heat half of the butter and half of the peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the combined breadcrumbs and orange rind, then stir-fry until lightly browned and crisp. Remove the breadcrumbs from the wok and set them aside. Cooking the crumbs first lets the orange rind bloom and keeps them beautifully golden. 

Heat the remaining butter and peanut oil in the wok. Add the garlic and asparagus, working in batches, and stir-fry until the asparagus turns bright green and just tender. Cooking in batches keeps the heat high, so the spears stay crisp-tender rather than soft. 

Arrange the asparagus on a serving platter. Scatter over the fresh tarragon, the citrus-toasted breadcrumbs, and the flaked Parmesan. Serve right away while everything is warm and fragrant.