Roasted asparagus and Serrano ham

6 Slices Serrano ham

12 Asparagus spears (Fresh green variety)

Olive oil

Sea salt

Coarsely ground black pepper

Method

Pre-heat oven to 200ºC 

Trim the tough woody stalks from the asparagus and then blanch in boiling water for one minute: remove from water and set aside.

Cut the slices of Serrano ham in half and wrap each asparagus with a piece of the ham. Place the spears in a lighted oiled roasting tin and drizzle each with olive oil and a pinch of the salt and pepper.

Roast in the oven for 10 minutes.

Serve with aioli.

Tapas for the fiesta!

December is a time when many of us are planning parties and reunions with friends and family in order to celebrate the festive season, and it is also a time when we will be thinking of creative ideas in the kitchen.

Serrano ham will play a big part in the Christmas menus of restaurants and private parties all over Spain and it may be servedin conjunction with an array of typical Mediterranean ingredients, orwith nothing more than a glass of crisp Tio Pepe or sparkling Cava.

Serrano ham can be combinedwith an array of vegetables like fresh asparagus spears, French beans or steamed new potatoes, or combined with rocket and cherry tomatoes to make an exciting salad to serve as an accompaniment.

Simplicity is of great importance and the following dishes will make an attractive display of mouth-watering flavorsthat can be used as a tapa, a starter, or simply as an accompanying vegetable for a main meal.

They are all simple to prepare and cookso you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying the fiesta, instead of assiduous hours in the kitchen. Felices fiestas!