Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus trick cuts the work

These prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears make delicious passed appetizers, but they can also be included on a crudité board along with assorted raw vegetables, cheese and crackers, keeping the warm beauties off to one side.

Soft garlic and herb cheese, such as boursin, is spread on the prosciutto before it is spun around the asparagus. The trick is to heat them in Step 3 just enough to make the asparagus slightly tender but still pleasingly crisp. If you heat them too long the prosciutto will get leathery.

It is much easier to successfully separate thin slices of prosciutto if it has been freshly sliced, rather than struggling with slices that are prepackaged — those often tear into pieces. Many supermarkets now have deli departments that will slice it to order.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Yield: Makes about 30

INGREDIENTS

2pounds thick fresh asparagus, trimmed

About 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 (5.2-ounce) package soft garlic and herb cheese, such as boursin, room temperature

16thin slices prosciutto, cut in half crosswise

PROCEDURE

1. Adjust oven rack to 4-6inches below broiler element and heat broiler. On rimmed baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and then position in single layer. Broil until crisp, just barely starting to get tender, about 4-5minutes, tossing halfway through broiling (shake the pan back and forth to rotate asparagus). Let asparagus cool slightly.

2. Move oven rack to middle position and change temperature to 450 degrees. Spread soft cheese on each piece of prosciutto. Roll prosciutto around center of asparagus spear. Repeat with remaining asparagus, prosciutto and cheese. Place seam side down on clean baking sheet.

3. Bake in middle of preheated oven until just warmed through, about 5minutes. Serve warm.

Source: “Boards,” from America’s Test Kitchen (America’s Test Kitchen, $30)