White Asparagus with Serrano Ham and a Hazelnut Dressing

Name: White Asparagus with Serrano Ham and a Hazelnut Dressing
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 500g white asparagus; 5 slices serrano ham; 25g hazelnuts; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 teaspoon honey; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon chives finely chopped

Rated 4.0 stars by 1 users

Author:

Drogo

Servings

2 - 3

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

White asparagus with serrano ham is a refined spring asparagus recipe that pairs two of the season's most prized ingredients. The pale spears are cooked until just tender, then served with thin slices of cured Spanish ham and finished with a sweet, mustardy hazelnut dressing. The dressing brings a sharp, nutty edge that lifts the natural sweetness of the asparagus and balances the saltiness of the ham.

Served as a delicate serrano ham starter, brunch plate or part of a tapas spread, it takes around 20 minutes to put together and uses a small handful of quality ingredients.

Ingredients

White Asparagus with Serrano Ham and a Hazelnut Dressing

500g white asparagus
5 slices serrano ham
25g hazelnuts
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chives finely chopped

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Directions

Method

Step 1, Prepare the white asparagus by removing around ½ inch from the woody end of each spear, then peeling almost to the tip using a vegetable peeler.
Step 2, Cook the asparagus for around -8 minutes in boiling salted water, or until just tender.
Step 3, Combine the lemon juice, Dijon mustards, honey, some salt and olive oil in a jam jar or bowl and shake or whisk to emulsify.
Step 4, Lightly toast the hazelnuts in a dry frying pan and chop roughly.
Step 5, Arrange the white asparagus on a plate, top with the serrano ham and pour the dressing over. Scatter with the chopped hazelnuts and chives.

Recipe Note

About This White Asparagus and Serrano Ham Recipe

White asparagus is a celebrated spring ingredient across Europe, particularly in Germany, France and the Netherlands, where the short April to June season is treated as a yearly event. Grown under earth or thick mulch to prevent the spears from greening, it has a milder, sweeter flavour than green asparagus and a more tender texture once peeled and cooked, which makes it the centrepiece of any classic white asparagus recipe of this kind. Pairing it with serrano ham, a dry-cured Spanish charcuterie aged for at least 12 months, brings out the natural sweetness of the spears against the salty depth of the ham. The hazelnut dressing ties the two together with a sharp mustard edge and a clean, nutty finish.

Serving Suggestions

This white asparagus and serrano ham recipe works beautifully as a light spring starter, served with warm crusty bread and a chilled glass of dry white wine such as a Spanish Albariño or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. For a heartier plate, add a soft-boiled egg or a generous wedge of manchego cheese on the side. As a serrano ham starter it also sits well within a tapas-style spread alongside olives, smoked paprika almonds and other Iberico-style cured meats.