Ingredients

　　1 tablespoon butter

　　1/4 teaspoon salt

　　Pinch of nutmeg

　　Big pinch of white pepper

　　1/2 cup grated cheese (preferably Swiss, but any kind will do)

　　2/3 cup bread crumbs

　　2 eggs

　　1 cup milk

　　1 to 2 cups overcooked asparagus

　　Preheat the oven to 300°F. Sauté the onions in the butter in a skillet for 5 minutes. Put them in a large bowl. Add the salt, nutmeg, pepper, cheese, and half of the bread crumbs. Beat in the eggs. Bring the milk to a boil and stir into the mixture. Mash the asparagus into the liquid with a fork or potato masher until the asparagus is in small chunks. Grease a 2-quart mold or baking dish and coat it with the remaining bread crumbs. Pour the asparagus mixture into the dish. Put that dish into a larger pan on the bottom rack of your oven. Fill the outer pan halfway with boiling water. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

　　How to Repair Food, Third Edition