Asparagus Parma Ham Salad Recipes

ASPARAGUS AND PARMA HAM SALAD WITH FIG VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Vinaigrette: Put the figs into a saucepan with 60ml water. Simmer for a few minutes until the figs are soft. If using dried figs, add 100ml water.Remove from the heat and press through a strainer. Discard the skins. Whisk the lemon juice, vinegars and olive oil into the fig purée and season to taste.Simmer the asparagus in a little water for two to three minutes, until just tender. Drain then refresh in cold water.Halve the asparagus lengthways and arrange onto a platter. Add the ham, cheese, rocket and watercress. Drizzle with the vinaigrette. Serve immediately.Image and text: Ideas magazine.To receive quick and convenient weekday recipes, join our Easy Weekday Meals mailing list, and for up-to-date trending food, restaurant and wine news subscribe to our Editor's Weekly newsletter.

WARM ARTICHOKE & ASPARAGUS SUMMER SALAD

Steps:

• When the artichokes are trimmed, find a pan wide enough to hold them in a single layer. Squeeze in juice from a lemon half and half-fill with cold water. Add 2 tbsp olive oil, the spices, thyme, vinegar, artichokes and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 15 mins until soft. Turn off the heat and allow to cool (see tips, below).
• Prepare the asparagus. First, cut off the woody ends, then use a swivel blade peeler to trim the ends, rotating them as you go so they end up the same thickness as the tips.
• Bring a large pan of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the asparagus for 2 mins, then drain and tip straight into heavily iced water. Leave until completely cool, drain again, then set aside.
• To make the dressing, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan , then gently cook the red onion for 5 mins until soft. Turn off the heat stir in the spring onion and chives, then tip into a jug. Drizzle the rest of the oil and the vinegar into the dressing, then season to taste.
• Get the vegetables ready. Drain the artichokes, then cut each into 6 wedges. Slice each asparagus on the angle into 3 pieces.
• Wipe out the dressing pan and heat the remaining olive oil. Fry the asparagus with some seasoning until shiny and starting to colour, then scoop onto a plate. Place the pan back on the heat, then cook the artichoke wedges until they start to brown. Turn off the heat and you are ready to plate up.
• Spoon a puddle of dressing into the centre of each plate. Balance the pieces of asparagus up against each other to circle the dressing. Arrange the artichokes among the asparagus so they're evenly distributed over the plate. Scatter over the salad leaves and drizzle over the remaining dressing.

PARMA HAM & ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat Olive Oil in a large saucepan and saute onion until soft.
• Add rice and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup stock and stir until absorbed. Continue adding stock in 1/2 cup increments waiting until stock is absorbed before adding the next 1/2 cup.
• After adding the last 1/2 cup add the asparagus pieces and cook until stock absorbed.
• Stir in Philadelphia until melted and then parma ham until heated through and finally the parsley.
• Serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

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

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.