Delicious and elegant asparagus wrapped in crispy prosciutto, baked to perfection with a hint of olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper. This appetizer is quick to prepare and perfect for entertaining or a flavorful side dish.
Total Time:22 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Ingredients
Asparagus and Prosciutto
12 asparagus spears (trimmed)
6 slices prosciutto (cut in half lengthwise)
Seasoning
Olive oil for drizzling
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Optional: lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the asparagus wrapped in prosciutto.
Blanch the asparagus: Boil water in a pot and blanch the asparagus spears for 3 minutes until they turn bright green. Immediately transfer them to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.
Wrap asparagus with prosciutto: Take each asparagus spear and wrap it with half a slice of prosciutto, starting from the bottom and spiraling up to the tip to fully encase the asparagus.
Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the wrapped asparagus spears evenly on it, making sure they don’t overlap.
Season and drizzle: Drizzle olive oil over the prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper evenly across the top for added flavor.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes until the prosciutto is crispy and the asparagus is tender but still has a slight bite.
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm. Optionally, garnish with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top to add a bright citrus note.
Notes
You can substitute prosciutto with bacon or pancetta for a different flavor profile.
Blanching the asparagus helps maintain its vibrant color and tender texture.
If you prefer extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning.
Make sure to pat the asparagus dry after blanching to prevent sogginess.
This dish pairs well with a light white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc.
