1. Preheat oven to broil. Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus. Arrange in 2 (15- x 10-inch) jelly-roll pans. Drizzle with olive oil.

2. Broil, in 2 batches, 5 1/2 inches from heat 4 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with sugar, salt, and pepper.

Simple Roasted Green Beans: Substitute 2 lb. small, thin, fresh green beans, trimmed, for asparagus. Proceed with recipe as directed, broiling, in 2 batches, 7 to 8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Makes 8 servings; Prep: 10 min., Broil: 8 min. per batch