Outstanding Asparagus Bake | Cooking Professionally

Ingredients

• 2 bunches asparagus (about 2 pounds), woody ends removed and discarded, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 4 thick slices bacon, chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
• nutmeg, freshly grated, to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• coarse salt, to taste
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 large eggs, hard-boiled and halved lengthwise
• 1 cup buttery crackers, coarsely crushed
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste