Step 1

1 Position an oven rack 6 inches under the broiler element and preheat the broiler (to high if your broiler has different settings)

Step 2

2 Trim the bottom 1 inch off the asparagus stalks

Step 3

3 If any are bigger than a pencil, use a vegetable peeler to peel an additional 2 or 3 inches' worth of the skin from the bottom of the stalks

Step 4

4 Whisk together the sugar and water in a small bowl, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then whisk in the miso paste

Step 5

5 Arrange the asparagus in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet

Step 6

6 Spoon the miso mixture over the asparagus, turning the stalks so they are evenly coated

Step 7

7 Broil until the asparagus is lightly browned and the miso is bubbling, 6 to 8 minutes

Step 8

8 Serve warm or at room temperature