Crispy Parma Ham And Asparagus Salad Food

SHEET-PAN HAM, ASPARAGUS AND HASSELBACK POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Melt the butter with the garlic, thyme sprigs and a large pinch each of salt and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat; remove from the heat and let sit 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the ham: Stir together the fig jam, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves; set aside. Score lines in a crosshatch pattern, 1 inch apart, into the top and sides of the ham; loosely wrap in a large sheet of heavy-duty foil, pouring 1/4 cup water over the ham before sealing. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Make the potatoes: Cut a thin sliver from one long side of a potato so that it sits flat; position cut-side down between the handles of two wooden spoons. Using a sharp knife, make cuts in the potato 1/8 inch apart, stopping when your knife hits the spoon handles (do not cut all the way through). Repeat with the remaining potatoes. Arrange on the baking sheet with the ham, drizzle with half of the garlic butter and season generously with salt and pepper. Bake 40 minutes.
• Open the foil and brush the ham with two-thirds of the fig glaze (leave the foil open). Drizzle the potatoes with the remaining garlic butter. Bake until a thermometer inserted into the center of the ham reaches 145˚ F, the glaze is browned and the potatoes are very tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 30 to 40 more minutes.
• Make the asparagus: Toss the asparagus with the olive oil, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Brush the ham with the remaining glaze. Push the potatoes to one side of the baking sheet and sprinkle with the cheese. Spread the asparagus in the open space on the baking sheet. Continue baking until the ham glaze is sticky, the cheese on the potatoes is melted and the asparagus is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Let the ham rest 10 minutes, then slice. Sprinkle the potatoes with the thyme leaves and chives. Serve with rolls.

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.

PARMA WRAPPED ASPARAGUS WITH BLUE CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a pan to medium high heat.
• Wrap each asparagus with one piece of ham.
• Add a bit of oil to the pan and fry each asparagus until the ham is golden brown.
• You may have to do two batches, keep the first batch warm in the oven.
• Put the second batch in the oven and throw in the onions over medium high heat and cook them a couple minutes until golden.
• Deglaze the lot with about 1/4 - 1/2 cup good dry sherry scraping up all the goodness on the bottom then let it reduce.
• Add the cream, until very warm, then throw in the cheese until just melted.
• Salt and pepper it to taste and serve immediately drizzled over the asparagus and lettuce.

SPRING ASPARAGUS, HAM AND POTATO SALAD - HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

Steps:

• Make up the dressing by putting all the dressing ingredients into a jar and shaking it well. The dressing can be made up well in advance.
• Choose two attractive plates or bowls and start to assemble the salad.
• Place the potatoes on the plate/bowl first and then arrange the strips of ham & asparagus spears over the top - gently mix through to "just" mingle the ingredients together.
• Next, scatter the minced/finely diced red onion over and then the sliced cornichons - if you are using them.
• Pour over the honey & mustard dressing - giving the salad a liberal dousing!
• Season and scatter the chopped chives and/or the chopped chervil over the top.
• Serve with crusty bread & a glass of crisp, chilled white Chablis or Chardonnay!
• Optional ideas:.
• You could also add peas, broad beans, olives or crispy bacon!

ASPARAGUS, HAM, AND POACHED EGG SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• Fill the pasta pot with 3 quarts of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the coarse salt and the asparagus. Blanch, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. (Cooking time will vary according to the size and tenderness of the asparagus.) Immediately remove the colander from the water, letting the water drain from the asparagus. Plunge the asparagus into the ice water so they cool down as quickly as possible and retain their crispness and bright green color. (The asparagus will cool in 1 to 2 minutes. After that, they will soften and begin to lose crispness and flavor.) Drain the asparagus and wrap it in a thick kitchen towel to dry. (Do not cook the asparagus in advance or it will lose its crispness.)
• Break each egg into a ramekin or small cup. Set aside. In a large, shallow saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. Add the vinegar. One by one, bring the edge of a ramekin or cup level with the surface of the water and slide the egg in gently. Turn off the heat and cover the pan. Poach the eggs until the whites are firm but the yolks are still runny and are covered with a thin, translucent layer of white, about 3 minutes.
• With the sieve or slotted spoon, carefully lift the eggs from the water and transfer them to several thicknesses of paper towels.
• Place the salad greens and chives in a large salad bowl. Toss with just enough dressing to coat the greens lightly and evenly.
• Place the asparagus on a large plate and add just enough dressing to lightly coat the spears. Roll the asparagus in the dressing.
• Arrange the dressed greens at one side of each of 4 large dinner plates. (Rectangular plates are particularly beautiful here.) Carefully place a poached egg alongside. Arrange 4 asparagus spears next to the eggs. Carefully drape a slice of ham over each of the poached eggs. Season the greens lightly with fine sea salt and generously with pepper. Sprinkle with chives. Serve with the toast.

ASPARAGUS HAM DINNER

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, saute asparagus and yellow pepper in oil until crisp-tender. Add tomatoes and ham; heat through. Drain pasta; add to mixture. Stir in parsley and seasonings. Sprinkle with cheese.

DEEP-DISH HAM QUICHE WITH HERB AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• To make the pastry: combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat the egg yolk and ice water in a small bowl to blend, add it to the pastry. Work it in to bind the dough until it holds together without being too wet or sticky. Squeeze a small amount together, if it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Form the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle the counter and a rolling pin lightly with flour. Roll the dough out into a 14-inch circle about 1/4-inch thick. Carefully roll the dough up onto the pin (this may take a little practice) and lay it inside a 9-inch springform pan. Press the dough firmly into the bottom and sides so it fits tightly; trim the excess dough around the rim. Place the pan on a sturdy cookie sheet so it will be easier to move in and out of the oven, this quiche is pretty heavy.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• To make the filling: Heat a skillet over medium-low heat, coat the pan with oil, and add the onions. Slowly cook the onions, stirring, until they caramelize and release their natural sugars. Add a couple of tablespoons of water to help the onions break down, if needed. Toss in the ham, cook, stirring, for about 10 minutes to get some color on it. Remove from heat. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until frothy, pour in the cream; season with salt and pepper. Arrange the caramelized onions and ham over the bottom of the crust and carefully pour in the cream and egg mixture; the filling should be about 1-inch from the top of the pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for 15 minutes or until the quiche is set, puffy, and jiggles slightly. Remove to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes. In the meantime make the asparagus salad.
• To make the asparagus salad: In a large pot of boiling salted water, blanch the asparagus for 4 minutes, or until they are just crisp-tender. Drain the asparagus, transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking, and drain well. Slice the asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces and put them in a mixing bowl. Add the Parmesan and herbs, drizzle the herb and asparagus salad with olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
• Loosen the quiche from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Carefully unmold the ring, and transfer the quiche (with the bottom base) to a serving plate. Cut it into wedges, drizzle with a little olive oil, and a few turns of freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with the asparagus salad on top.

CREAMY HAM AND ASPARAGUS TAGLIATELLE

Steps:

• Cook the asparagus in boiling water until just tender.
• Drain, setting aside some of the cooking water.
• Cool and slice on the diagonal.
• Heat the butter and olive oil in a frying pan, before adding the onion.
• Sauté until soft and then add the ham, cooking for a further minute.
• Add the asparagus and a ladle full of the cooking water.
• Simmer until most of the water has evaporated.
• Set aside while cooking the pasta in a separate pot, until al dente.
• When the pasta is nearly ready, reheat the sauce and add the cream, parsley, salt and pepper.
• Simmer for five minutes or until reduced by half.
• Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce.
• Sprinkle parmesan on top.

PARMA HAM AND CHEDDAR SALAD

Steps:

• Remove the fat from the Parma ham and thinly slice.
• Cube the Cheddar (1cm or so).
• Wash the lettuce and separate the leaves. Tear the leaves do not cut.
• Mix all together in a bowl and drizzle oil 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.