This delightful dish combines the fresh, crisp taste of asparagus with the savory richness of prosciutto. A zesty lemon dressing ties everything together, making it a perfect appetizer or side dish for any meal. The contrast of textures and flavors will leave your taste buds wanting more.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common, you might need to pay special attention to prosciutto. This Italian dry-cured ham can usually be found in the deli section of your supermarket. Make sure to get thin slices for easy wrapping around the asparagus. Also, ensure you have a fresh lemon for the zest and juice, as it significantly enhances the flavor.
Ingredients for Cold Asparagus with Prosciutto and Lemon
Asparagus: Fresh, green spears that are tender yet crisp, perfect for blanching and wrapping.
Prosciutto: Thinly sliced, savory Italian dry-cured ham that adds a rich, salty flavor.
Lemon: Provides both zest and juice, adding a fresh, tangy element to the dish.
Olive oil: A high-quality extra virgin olive oil will enhance the flavors with its smooth, fruity notes.
Salt: Used to season the water for blanching the asparagus and to taste at the end.
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the finished dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When blanching the asparagus, make sure to immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water after boiling. This technique, known as shocking, halts the cooking process and helps maintain the vibrant green color and crisp texture of the vegetable.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
asparagus - Substitute with green beans: Green beans have a similar texture and can be served cold or warm, making them a good alternative to asparagus.
prosciutto - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon provides a similar salty and savory flavor while being a leaner option.
lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime offers a comparable tartness and citrus flavor, which can brighten the dish similarly to lemon.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and a similar healthy fat profile, making it a good alternative to olive oil.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a slightly different texture and flavor but will still season the dish effectively.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat and flavor profile but with a slightly different appearance and a more subtle taste.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the asparagus with prosciutto to cool completely before storing. This ensures that condensation doesn't make the dish soggy.
Place the cooled asparagus in an airtight container. If you have multiple layers, separate them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The dish will stay fresh for up to 2 days, maintaining its vibrant flavors and textures.
For longer storage, consider freezing. Lay the wrapped asparagus spears on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
Once frozen, transfer the asparagus to a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container with the date. Frozen asparagus with prosciutto can be stored for up to 1 month.
To thaw, place the frozen asparagus in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid microwaving as it can make the prosciutto rubbery and the asparagus mushy.
Before serving, you may want to refresh the flavors by drizzling a bit more olive oil and lemon juice over the top.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the asparagus wrapped in prosciutto on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. This method helps maintain the crispiness of the prosciutto while gently reheating the asparagus.
Use a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan. Place the wrapped asparagus in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until heated through. This method adds a slight crisp to the prosciutto and keeps the asparagus tender.
For a quick reheat, use a microwave. Place the wrapped asparagus on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Microwave on medium power for 30-45 seconds, checking to ensure they are heated through. This method is fast but may slightly soften the prosciutto.
If you prefer a more hands-off approach, use a steamer. Place the wrapped asparagus in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for 2-3 minutes until warmed. This method keeps the asparagus tender and the prosciutto moist.
For a gourmet touch, use a sous-vide machine. Seal the wrapped asparagus in a vacuum bag. Set the sous-vide machine to 140°F (60°C) and immerse the bag for 15-20 minutes. This method ensures even reheating without compromising texture or flavor.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Pot: used to bring salted water to a boil for cooking the asparagus
Tongs: helpful for transferring the asparagus from the boiling water to the ice water
Bowl: filled with ice water to cool the asparagus quickly
Colander: used to drain the asparagus after cooling
Cutting board: provides a surface to trim the asparagus
Knife: used to trim the asparagus
Zester: used to zest the lemon
Juicer: extracts juice from the lemon
Measuring spoons: measures the olive oil
Serving platter: used to arrange the prosciutto-wrapped asparagus for serving
Pepper mill: grinds fresh black pepper over the dish
How To Save Time on This Recipe
Trim asparagus in advance: Prepare the asparagus by trimming and washing them the night before.
Use pre-sliced prosciutto: Save time by purchasing pre-sliced prosciutto from the deli.
Blanch and chill simultaneously: Use a large bowl of ice water to quickly cool the asparagus after blanching.
Pre-mix dressing: Combine lemon juice and olive oil in a small jar ahead of time for a quick drizzle.
Organize ingredients: Lay out all ingredients and tools before starting to streamline the process.
Cold Asparagus with Prosciutto and Lemon Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Asparagus trimmed
- 8 slices Prosciutto
- 1 Lemon zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- 1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
- 2. Add the asparagus and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp.
- 3. Transfer the asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool, then drain.
- 4. Wrap each asparagus spear with a slice of prosciutto.
- 5. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts for This Dish
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