Trim the woody ends of the asparagus
Rinse the spears and pat them dry
Heat a skillet over medium heat
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter
Place the asparagus in the skillet in a single layer
Season with salt and pepper
Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally
Cook until the asparagus is bright green and tender-crisp
Add garlic, lemon juice, or Parmesan if desired
Remove from heat and serve immediately