The perfect spring appetizer on the grill or in the oven: easy-peasy and surprisingly scrumptious!
We were lucky enough to be invited to Vince and Colleen’s last year for dinner. What a memorable meal. If you get an invitation to their house, you are definitely in for a royal treat. They have a wood fired outdoor oven and use it every chance they get. I would too, if I had one! Wish I had the space! Asparagus rolled in prosciutto and fire roasted in the oven was the first dish served. Incredible. Sometimes I feel like I live under a rock. Both Vanja and I went crazy over these simple bites. Asparagus with prosciutto. Who knew? Vince and Colleen looked at us with polite curiosity: a kind of “where have you been?” look. It is hard for me to curb my enthusiasm when something is so yummy and so unexpected. Who would think that fire roasted asparagus wrapped in prosciutto would create such a culinary coup, but it did. I just could not get over the flavour combination, particularly as I had heard of the “classic combination” of asparagus wrapped with ham and tried it a few times without even a tad of satisfaction.
When we did our Serrano and Prosciutto tasting, we found we both preferred the Serrano, so Serrano it was.
Anyone living in Edmonton knows (or needs to know) that there is no better asparagus than that from Edgar Farms sold at both the City Market downtown (open at 9 Saturdays, and the OSFM on the Southside (open at 8 Saturday mornings). Little hint for those of you lined up forever at the City Market: last year I would be at OSFM at 8 and have no trouble getting my asparagus for the week!
Wrap each tendril in an entire piece of prosciutto, or in our case, Serrano and drizzle with a little olive oil.
Yes, it is that easy. I have grilled these on a piece of tin foil with a lot of holes pokes in it. That was yummy, too! But, on a rainy day for a great taste of summer, simply into the oven at 400°F and 15 minutes later or so: voilà !
No matter how many you make, the plate will be empty shortly after they are served. I think I need a great rustic wooden board to present these on! I will have to keep my eye out.
Meanwhile, every time I make Asparagus with Proscuitto, I think of Vince and Colleen, the lovely meal at their home and their wood fired oven. That is the beauty of good food; it is not only bursting with great flavour, but is the keeper of great memories.
Thanks for your kind words Valerie. We prefer Serrano ham too. We fired up the oven twice this weekend. One night for pizza, and last night a lamb leg and roasted veggies. Glad the winter is over.
Hey, Colleen!
Wasn’t it the longest winter, ever – and it has taken me FOREVER to get this post up… rather, this “recipe” shared. It has definitely become a favourite of ours, and with Saturday’s first of the season asparagus was a home run!
Hope my make more time to enjoy your garden and wood fire oven this year!
🙂
valerie
I think this would even make a good finger food appetizer with cocktails…I picture it standing up in a glass, there for the taking.
Great idea, Joan!
Love the stand up presentation!
🙂
valerie
Delicious! I sometimes slip in some cheese to that, and sprinkle some cracked pepper…always a favorite in parties 🙂
Anything wrapped in prosciutto sounds very Italian to me.
This is a classic served cold, but grilling it is a great idea! Hope you’re enjoying the beginnings of summer!
This couldn’t have come at a better time, my dear. I was eyeing a pack of prosciutto the other day and thinking how much longer do I have to wait to try this recipe: http://annajohnston.com.au/proscuitto-wrapped-figs-w-danish-blue-cheese/
I don’t think I’ll be seeing figs for a while yet here, but I always see asparagus. I must try this next time we’re grilling. Thanks for this recipe, Valerie. I need to get out from under my rock 😉 Edgar Farms, I’ll remember that :-D. Hope you and Vanja are doing well! Big hugs!!!
Looks delish Valerie! And I like your photos 🙂
It sounds like you had a beautiful time at your friends’ house, Valerie! What a treat to enjoy these succulent Serrano-wrapped asparagus. I recently had the opportunity to taste fresh-from-the-farm local asparagus and found the spears to so flavorful, I ate them lightly steamed with no sauce at all and thought they were the best asparagus spears I had ever tasted. I can’t believe I never tasted fresh asparagus before! I can imagine that this grilled (or roasted) version is exquisite. And with a drizzle of olive oil … mmm.
Thanks for sharing, Valerie! 🙂 🙂 🙂
My mouth is watering. I cannot get over how delicious that asparagus looks…yum!
Fantastic appetizer.
The best food always brings forth memories (or creates new ones!) This looks like a lovey and delicious appetizer. Thank you for sharing with me today! I hope you are having a lovely holiday. Have a week full of good food, laughter and love!
Absolutely gorgeous, Valerie! These are one of our favorite appetizers, but we usually make bundles. I like your way much better. I’ll definitely be implementing it the next time we make these.
This looks yummy….you have a lovely blog…I am having a giveaway in my blog..Y dont you check and join that
I’m glad you had a good time. You always manage to make something refreshing and elegant. What a perfect spring party treat.
Mmmm I have a weakness for anything rolled and roasted in cured ham: prunes, shrimp, anything! These look fabulous! And now I think an outdoor wood fireplace is added to my future-garden must-have list!
This is one of my fave side dishes too! Easy and delicious.
Now this is my kind of appetizer. Really, I can’t think of anything better than grilled prosciutto. I’d love if you’d consider sharing this recipe in the online Get Grillin’ & summer bbq event I’m hosting (it’s appetizer week). And yes, the giveaway’s open to Canadians, too!
Dara (Cookin’ Canuk)
I wanted to share this recipe with you! I am just waiting until tomorrow – the 7th is the day, right? And then I have to add the link into my post!
I am looking forward to it!
🙂
Valerie
these look simply delish Val! I’ll have to make these soon! mm..maybe the next time I’m free!