Step 1

Put the olive oil in a 12-inch saute pan or skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus and cook 3 minutes, stirring or shaking the pan frequently.

Step 2

Add the water, garlic, salt and pepper. Cover the pan and cook 2 minutes — this step steams the asparagus, cooking it from the inside out.

Step 3

Uncover the pan and add the butter, swirling the pan until it melts.

Step 4

Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter — be sure to scrape out all the buttery pan juices. Squeeze the lemon wedges over the platter and serve.