Imagine a salad so elegant and refreshing that it transports you straight to the sun-drenched hills of Italy with just one bite. Our Prosciutto Salad with Asparagus and Melon is not just a dish—it's a culinary experience that combines the delicate saltiness of prosciutto, the crisp freshness of asparagus, and the sweet juiciness of cantaloupe in a symphony of flavors that will revolutionize your summer dining. Get ready to impress your guests and elevate your salad game with this simple yet sophisticated recipe that takes just 20 minutes to prepare!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup asparagus, blanched
- 1 cup cantaloupe, cubed
- 8 slices prosciutto
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Prepare the asparagus by trimming the tough woody ends and cutting the spears into 2-inch pieces.
- Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water simultaneously for blanching the asparagus.
- Blanch the asparagus by carefully dropping the pieces into boiling water for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and crisp-tender.
- Immediately transfer the blanched asparagus to the ice water bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crispness.
- Drain the asparagus thoroughly and pat dry with clean paper towels.
- Cube the cantaloupe into uniform 1/2-inch pieces, ensuring clean and precise cuts.
- In a large salad bowl, spread the mixed greens as the base layer of the salad.
- Artfully arrange the blanched asparagus pieces and cantaloupe cubes over the mixed greens.
- Gently drape the prosciutto slices across the top of the salad, creating an elegant presentation.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette evenly over the salad just before serving.
- Serve immediately to ensure the freshness and crispness of the ingredients.
Tips
- For the best asparagus texture, choose fresh, firm spears and blanch them precisely—2-3 minutes is the sweet spot for maintaining their bright color and crisp-tender bite.
- Use high-quality prosciutto and balsamic vinaigrette; these ingredients make a significant difference in the overall flavor profile.
- Serve the salad immediately after dressing to prevent the greens from wilting and maintain the perfect texture contrast.
- For extra elegance, you can slightly crisp the prosciutto in a pan before draping it over the salad for added depth of flavor.
- If cantaloupe isn't in season, feel free to substitute with other sweet fruits like ripe peaches or nectarines to maintain the salad's delightful balance.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 25mg
