Roma Tomatoes with Asparagus and Hollandaise

 

6

medium plum (Roma) tomatoes (2 1/2 to 3 inches long)

36

thin asparagus spears (1/4 inch diameter)

1

cup milk

1

package (0.9 oz) hollandaise sauce mix

1/4

cup butter or margarine

1/2

cup shredded Parmesan cheese (2 oz)

• 1 Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise. Seed tomatoes, using teaspoon; remove flesh, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shell. Cut thin slice from rounded side of tomato halves, if necessary, so they'll rest level in pan. Drain tomatoes, hollow sides down, on paper towels.
• 2 Break off tough ends of asparagus. From tip end, cut off top 3 inches of each spear (reserve remaining portions of spear for another use). In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1 inch water to boiling. Add asparagus pieces. Heat to boiling and boil 2 minutes; drain and set aside.
• 3 In same 1-quart saucepan, beat milk and sauce mix with wire whisk until smooth. Add butter. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth.
• 4 Set oven control to broil. In 13x9-inch pan, place tomato halves. In each tomato half, arrange 3 asparagus pieces lengthwise with tips extended over stem end of tomato. Spoon 1 tablespoon sauce over asparagus-filled tomato halves, allowing some sauce to fill tomato hollow. Sprinkle with cheese.
• 5 Broil with tops 4 to 6 inches from heat 2 to 4 minutes or until tomatoes are hot and cheese just begins to brown. If desired, heat remaining sauce until hot; serve with tomatoes.