Fancy Springtime Sandwiches

Fancy Springtime Sandwiches
1/2 pound fresh pencil-thin asparagus spears
8 slices (each 1 inch thick) French bread
1 cup (5 1/2 ounces) chopped or diced ham
2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 tablespoon grainy Dijon-style mustard
4 slices (4 ounces) provolone or Swiss cheese
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Rinse the asparagus and snap off the tough ends. Place the spears in a glass pie plate or other shallow microwave-safe dish. Cover the dish with microwave-safe plastic wrap and cut a 1-inch slit in the top to vent. Cover the plate and microwave on high, until the spears are crisp-tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
Place the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, place in the oven and bake until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix together the ham, mustard and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Spread the ham mixture over the bread slices on the baking pan, dividing it evenly and working carefully so as not to touch the hot pan. Place 3 or 4 asparagus spears on top of the ham mixture on each sandwich. Cut the cheese slices in half and place half a slice over the asparagus on each sandwich.
Return the pan to the oven and bake just until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Serve at once, placing 2 sandwiches on each plate.
Serves four.
Nutrition values per serving: 398 calories (34 percent from fat), 15 g fat (7 g saturated), 42 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 22 g protein, 40 mg cholesterol, 1,280 mg sodium.