Asparagus "antipasti"
Add some italian flair to your BBQ or buffet, any time of the year!
This is one of the easiest side dishes you can can make and it's delicious! I chose asparagus in a jar, already marinated, at one of my favorite places: Cosco. You simply open the jar, mix the dressing, add the parmesan and prosciutto and voila, you are done!
*Just in case you're not familiar with what Prosciutto is*
Prosciutto is an Italian dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced and served uncooked; this style is called prosciutto crudo in Italian (or simply crudo). The most renowned and expensive legs of prosciutto come from central and north-eastern Italy.
This is what you'll need:
1 jar of marinated asparagus
1 wedge of fresh ungrated parmesan cheese, adding more or less depending on your tastes
1 pound of prosciutto
For the dressing:
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons olive oil,
1/2 Tablespoon lime juice
1 Tablespoon honey
Marinating time
This is how you do it:
Drain your asparagus. ***
Mix all the dressing ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
In a shallow serving dish, arrange the asparagus lengthwise with the pan. Drizzle the dressing over it and let it sit at room temperature for at least one hour. If you have the time, it will taste even better if it sits overnight.
Just before serving, mix the asparagus one more time, cut the prosciutto into small strips, then wrap each marinated asparagus with your strips of delicious prosciutto. Next, slice or grate the parmesan and sprinkle it over top.
*** "But Aela, what if I can't find asparagus in a jar? Can I use asparagus from a can"?
NO! If you can't find it in a jar, then get fresh asparagus. What you get from a can will most likely be mush.
Once you have your fresh asparagus, clean it and then cut the bottom off until you reach the green part that is not hard (usually about 1 inch or so). Next, place in a deep pan with plenty of olive oil and slightly brown them from all sides. Take off the stove and add salt and pepper. Add a bit of your favorite vinegar (I love balsamic) and have them marinate at room temperature over night.
