Beef-and-Asparagus Bundles

Ingredients

• 16 asparagus spears
• 1 (4-oz.) package garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese
• 2 heads Bibb lettuce, leaves separated
• 8 thin slices deli roast beef, halved
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 16 strips
• 16 fresh chives (optional)

Preparation

1. 1. Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus. Cut asparagus tips into 3 1/2-inch pieces, reserving any remaining end portions for another use.
2. 2. Cook asparagus in boiling water to cover 1 to 2 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain and pat dry with paper towels.
3. 3. Spoon cheese into a 1-qt. zip-top plastic freezer bag. (Do not seal.) Snip 1 corner of bag to make a small hole, and pipe cheese down center of each lettuce leaf. Arrange 1 roast beef slice, 1 asparagus spear, and 1 red bell pepper strip in each lettuce leaf. If desired, wrap sides of lettuce around roast beef and vegetables, and tie bundles with chives.
4. Note: For testing purposes only, we used Alouette Garlic & Herbs for garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese and Boar's Head Londonport Seasoned Roast Beef for deli roast beef.