Sesame Grilled Asparagus Rafts Food

GRILLED PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim the ends off of the asparagus spears and place in a large bowl or pan and cover with cold water and let stand for 1 hour. This will allow the asparagus to absorb a little moisture and stay crisp & moist when grilling. Drain asparagus. Drizzle asparagus with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Not too much just a little, add minced garlic and season to taste with freshly ground black pepper. Gently mix to evenly coat the asparagus. Lay a slice of prosciutto vertically (short end at the bottom) on a flat work surface. Place one seasoned asparagus spear across the middle of the prosciutto at the bottom end and roll up the asparagus tightly in the prosciutto. Repeat with remaining asparagus. Line up 4 prosciutto wrapped asparagus spears.
• Skewer the 4 spears together, 2 skewers per group of 4 wrapped asparagus.
• This will make it easier to grill the asparagus. Repeat until you have 6 skewers of 4. They end up looking like little rafts of prosciutto wrapped asparagus.
• Preheat grill to medium high 450-550° F. Cook asparagus until tender and prosciutto crisps, about 3-4 minutes per side.
• Remove from grill, drizzle with a little extra olive oil and balsamic vinegar and serve immediately with grilled Tony Roma's BBQ Baby Back Ribs.

SESAME GRILLED ASPARAGUS RAFTS

Steps:

• With one hand, hold an asparagus stalk at its base. Bend the stalk over with your other hand - the asparagus will break where the woody part ends and the tender part begins. Discard the base. Place 4 or 5 asparagus stalks next to one another. Skewer them crosswise in two places - just below the tips and 3cm from the bottom - with slender bamboo skewers. You will end up with something that looks like a raft.
• In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic and sesame seeds and stir with a fork to mix. Brush this mixture on the asparagus rafts on both sides. Season the asparagus with a little salt and lots of pepper.
• Grill the asparagus on a barbecue or in a griddle pan for 4-5 mins per side, turning with tongs. Sprinkle with sesame mix as they grill.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill.
• Place asparagus on a plate. Drizzle oil over the asparagus and turn spears until they are coated. Sprinkle with salt and turn again.
• Grill asparagus for 5 minutes over a hot grill. Each minute or so, roll each spear 1/4 turn. Asparagus should begin to brown in spots (indicating that the natural sugars are caramelizing) but should it not be allowed to char. Dripping oil may cause flare-ups. Keep a glass, or spray bottle of water handy to spritz on coals, if necessary.
• Remove from grill and serve immediately (eating spears with your fingers enhances the experience).

SESAME GRILLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a shallow pan, soak skewers in cold water for 1 hour, then drain and set aside.
• Preheat grill to high. Snap off the woody bases of the asparagus and discard. Skewer 4 or 5 asparagus spears together, using the toothpicks or 2 bamboo skewers, forming a raft shape.
• In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, and garlic and stir with a fork to mix. Brush this mixture on the asparagus rafts on both sides. Season the asparagus with a little salt and lots of pepper.
• When ready to cook, place the asparagus rafts on the hot grate and grill until nicely browned on both sides, 2 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds as they grill. You can serve the asparagus as rafts or unskewered.