Asparagus Prosciutto Wrap

With Julie Geary

Julie Geary of Classic Cooks shares one of her most popular, easy and tasty appetizers for your holiday entertaining. The essential ingredients are boursin cheese (a soft creamy cheese available in a variety of flavors, somewhat similar to cream cheese), a thin piece of prosciutto, and phyllo dough.

To make spread some of the boursin cheese on each piece of prosciutto, add a piece of asparagus that has been parboiled, and make into a roll. Place asparagus roll onto a sheet of Phyllo (that is a little shorter than the length of the asparagus) and roll it up. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 to 12 minutes. You can serve either warm or at room temperature.

Phyllo, which means "leaf" in Greek, are tissue paper-thin like sheets of dough made from flour, water and a bit of oil. Many people are afraid to work with it because it is so delicate. Phyllo sheets are layered and brushed lightly in between with melted butter or oil, and result in a puffed-up height. They are crisp, light and flavorful. Sold in 1-pound packages containing about 20 sheets of dough, phyllo is almost always frozen and is found in the freezer section of the grocery store.

Ingredients

4 sheets phyllo dough
4 tablespoons butter, melted
6 ounces prosciutto
6 ounces Boursin Cheese
12 pieces of asparagus

Instructions

While preparing recipe, put about 6 cups of water on to blanche the asparagus. (note: This can be done ahead of time.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
1. Lay out two sheets of phyllo dough and butter one side with a brush. (Set aside other pieces after wrapping in a damp towel.)
2. Trim about one-half of a piece of prosciutto and lay flat.
3. Spread about a teaspoon of Boursin cheese and spread on one side of the prosciutto.
4. Lay one piece of the asparagus onto the prosciutto and roll up.
5. Cut the sheet of Phyllo into strips about as wide as the prosciutto and lay aside.
6. One at a time, place the rolled up asparagus and prosciutto onto a phyllo strip and roll up like a cigar.
7. Place rolls onto a baking sheet (seem side down) and bake in oven about 10 to 12 minutes.

Let cool and serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe courtesy of Julie Geary, Classic Caterers, 2010.

Owner and Chef, Classic Cooks Catering

Classic Cooks has been entertaining since 1980 all over the North Shore and Boston area.  They catered the premier of the "Perfect Storm" movie for Warner Brothers for 2,000 guests.

The company was nationally televised doing a New England Clambake for Bobby Flay's Food Nation on the Food Channel.