Once again, was itching to make something “new” tonight. Purchased some baby asparagus late last week and bought some prosciutto this morning. So I thought to myself, why not make some wrapped prosciutto baby asparagus bundles? A fancy and delicious appetizer of tender-crisp asparagus wrapped in salty prosciutto that comes together in only ten minutes and requires only two ingredients. Sophistication made easy.
Before I begin, let me highlight some interesting health benefits of asparagus. Did you know that this herbaceous plant—along with avocado, kale and Brussels sprouts—is a particularly rich source of glutathione, a detoxifying compound that helps break down carcinogens and other harmful compounds like free radicals. This is why eating asparagus may help protect against and fight certain forms of cancer, such as bone, breast, colon, larynx and lung cancers.
Asparagus is also packed with antioxidants, ranking among the top fruits and vegetables for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. This, according to preliminary research, may help slow the aging process.
One more benefit of asparagus: It contains high levels of the amino acid asparagine, which serves as a natural diuretic, and increased urination not only releases fluid but helps rid the body of excess salts. This is especially beneficial for people who suffer from edema (an accumulation of fluids in the body’s tissues; sadly, something I am prone to with my swollen legs) and those who have high blood pressure or other heart-related diseases. So let’s proceed with the steps behind creating this appetizer to deceptively impress your guests (“deceptive” because in actual fact, this simple appetizer barely takes no longer than ten minutes to prepare).
INGREDIENTS:
- Pack of baby asparagus
- Pack of Prosciutto
METHOD:
1) Wash asparagus and pat dry, cut woody ends off. Gather 5 baby asparagus together to form neat bundles. Begin at the top of the asparagus spears and wrap prosciutto in a downward spiral until ~1.5-2 inches away from the bottom stem. 
2) Continue wrapping all the separate bundles. 
2) Place a skillet on medium-high heat and add some classic olive oil. Swirl the pan.
3) Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan, place the wrapped asparagus spears in the hot pan and cook until prosciutto is crisp and browned and asparagus is tender-crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. 
4) Remove asparagus to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain while you cook the remaining spears. Serve promptly while hot.
