Asparagus Gratin

We ate this as a side with the Grilled Salmon (super yummy!).
Serves 3-4

2 pounds thin asparagus
3 cups water
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, grated and divided (1/2 and 1/4)
½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat broiler. Place paper towels in dish you plan to cook it in (I used a 9x13). Snap the woody ends off the asparagus and set both stalks and ends aside.
2. Bring water to a boil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus ends and ¼ teaspoon salt and cook covered, for 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove asparagus ends and discard. Add asparagus stalks to skillet, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until nearly tender,2-4 minutes. Transfer asparagus to paper lined dish. Pour asparagus water into liquid measuring cup. If liquid does not read 1-cup mark, add water until it does.
3. Melt butter in now empty skillet over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly until golden, about 1 minute. Whisk in reserved asparagus water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened, 3-5 minutes. Off heat, whisk in ½ cup Parmesan and Monterey jack until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and let stand for 5 minuets. (My sauce was really thick, but really good!)
4. Remove paper towels from baking dish. Drizzle sauce over center of asparagus and top with remaining Parmesan. Broil until cheese is golden and asparagus is tender, 4-8 minutes. Serve.

I found this recipe on this site.