Asparagus And Parma Ham Salad With Fig Vinaigrette Recipes

THE EASIEST SEXIEST SALAD IN THE WORLD

Steps:

• One thing I do is to criss-cross the figs but not quite to the bottom. Then, using your thumbs and forefingers, squeeze the base of the fig to expose the inside. At this point you'll think, 'Oooh, that looks nice, I think I'm quite clever ...' or at least I do. More importantly, it allows your dressing to get right into the middle of the fig. All these little things really help to make a salad special. Simply place the figs in a dish, weave around 1 slice of Parma ham or prosciutto per fig, throw in some slices of buffalo mozzarella and rip over some green or purple basil. Mix 6 tablespoons of oil, half the lemon juice, honey and some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper together in a bowl and drizzle everything with this dressing. As far as salads go, it's pretty damn sexy.

HAM AND SPRING VEGETABLE SALAD WITH SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook potatoes and carrots in large pot of boiling salted water until almost tender, about 7 minutes. Add asparagus and peas; cook until vegetables are just tender, about 3 minutes longer. Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain. Transfer to large bowl. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Add ham to vegetables. Add Shallot Vinaigrette to salad and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Line bowl with spinach. Top with salad and serve.

CRISPY PARMA HAM AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the eggs in a pan of boiling water for exactly 8 minutes. Sit a steamer or colander over the eggs, put in the asparagus, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender - alternatively, cook in a pan of water for 2-3 minutes.
• Drain the eggs and asparagus and cool under cold water.
• Melt the butter in a small pan than, with a wire whisk, beat in some lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat a ridged griddle pan. Cook the slices of parma ham, two at a time in the hot pan for 30 seconds on each side. Set aside on kitchen paper. Cook the asparagus in the hot pan for 2-3 minutes to give light bar marks.
• Shell and halve the eggs and arrange on four plates with the asparagus, topped with the crispy parma ham. Drizzle over the lemon butter dressing. Scatter over some shaved parmesan and top with a good grind of black pepper. A glass or two of chilled white wine is the perfect accompaniment to this dish.

ASPARAGUS SPEARS BAKED IN PARMA HAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 C / Gas 6. Wash and trim the bottom ends from the asparagus. Boil the Asparagus for 3-4 minutes then drain them and let them cool down.
• Cut each slice of Parma ham in half.
• Wrap each asparagus spear with a half slice of ham.
• Brush a baking tray with olive oil and arrange the wrapped spears in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake in the oven for 10 minutes for thin asparagus, or slightly longer for thick stalks

ASPARAGUS AND SERRANO HAM SALAD WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Have ready a large bowl of ice and cold water. Cook asparagus in boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain spears, then refresh in ice water. Drain asparagus again and pat dry.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook almonds, bread crumbs, and cumin, stirring frequently, until toasted, 3 to 4 minutes. Cool. Add remaining oil to vinegar in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toss escarole with half of dressing and mound on plates. Arrange ham around escarole and top salad with asparagus. Drizzle asparagus with remaining dressing. Sprinkle salad with almond-and-crumb mixture.