Showing posts with label Proscuitto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Proscuitto. Show all posts

Friday, December 20, 2013

Holiday Asparagus

Having asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and doused in lemon and garlic is one of our family's side dishes.  But, as I was planning the holiday menu, I stumbled across this version which includes Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese, and makes it a little better! Definitely richer! Certainly an option for the holiday spread.  Since Jon requested I post the original 'Not Your Gma's Asparagus', my guess is, he will want this one, too!


I do admit this recipe has additional steps, is a little more involved, and that spreading cheese on paper-thin proscuitto needs dedication, but the flavor...totally works. Make this tray ahead of the party so that all you have to do is pop it in the oven.

(Adapted from America's Test Kitchen 'Make-Ahead Appetizers' Magazine)

Equipment:
Large baking sheet
Foil
PAM Spray
Knife

Ingredients:
Bunch of Asparagus
Prosciutto, cut in half
Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread



Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Preheat the oven to 'BROIL'
3. Prep your baking sheet with foil.
4. Bend the asparagus at the natural breaking point to remove fibrous and tough ends.



5. Toss the stalks in olive oil directly on pan and place in single layer.


6. Broil asparagus x 5 minutes, tossing once at 2-3 minutes. (This is a great way to make asparagus!)


7. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.  Keep oven at 450F degrees if making recipe right away.
8. Cut your prosciutto in half and spread with a thin layer of boursin cheese.



9. Use the plastic separator to gently lift each piece of prosciutto when ready to roll the asparagus.




10. Place the wrapped asparagus onto a fresh piece of foil or store them in tupperware.


11. Bake at 450F degrees x 5 minutes until crisp and dark red.


12. Easily made ahead and stored in the fridge the day before or at room temperature for up to 4 hours.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Not Your Grandma's Asparagus

Veggies get a bad rap, but asparagus seems to suffer from bad cooks making soggy, floppy, tasteless spears. And, for the rest of your life you are convinced you hate asparagus!



Lemon, garlic and a half-slice of proscuitto turn this feared green into a healthy side dish--packed with all kinds of goodness.  Ask Jon. If you don't want yours, he'll be glad to help you out. No need to wrap it in your napkin or feed it to the dog.

Whatever you do, don't diss the green spear just yet until you've tried this recipe.

Equipment:
Functioning oven
Baking sheet
Sharp knife (to cut Proscuitto in half)

Ingredients:
Bunch of asparagus, medium thickness
3-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped/minced
3-6 oz of proscuitto (depends on number of spears you have), cut package in half
Lemon
Fresh pepper
(Proscuitto is quite salty. Avoid extra salting until baked and sampled)

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Preheat oven to 400F degrees.


3. Drizzle olive oil or spray PAM onto baking sheet.


4. Break off lower third of asparagus spear.
5. Wrap a half slice of Proscuitto around spear and lay on baking sheet in a row.

6. Sprinkle garlic over proscuitto-wrapped spears.
7. Add pepper


8. Bake @ 400F degrees for 10 minutes.
9. Place on serving platter and sprinkle with fresh lemon juice.


10. You can also add fresh Parmesean to step it up a notch.

Serve immediately!