The blend of luscious summer fruit with savory basil and salty crisped prosciutto makes Nectarine Bites a pleasingly light yet flavorful starter.
Inspiration On-the-Go
Recently I was looking through my recipe apps while I was waiting in the dentist office. I had already caught up on my Words With Friends games. I really wasn’t expecting much more than a momentary diversion. In the end I was pleasantly surprised.
The interface for Epicurious is agreeable. On the front page you select recipes from a variety of categories like “Weeknight Dinners” or “Kid-Friendly Mains”. Or, if you’d rather, search by criteria such as main ingredient, course or occasion. Then you slide through recipe cards within that category selecting those you’d like to try. It will even calculate a shopping list from the recipes you select.
I started by looking through the appetizer section, a category that usually finds me scraping for ideas when I am planning to entertain. Right away I found several easy and inspiring recipes including this one that called for fresh basil leaves which are currently growing in my own backyard garden. I stopped by the grocery on the way home to pick up a few other ingredients.
Practical Fruition
I made a few adaptations. Nectarines were available and I prefer their smooth skin to the fuzz of peaches when I’m not peeling the fruit. Then, unable to find Serrano ham I bought prosciutto from the deli instead. Finally, having already weakened the Spanish influence of the ingredients, I took another step in that direction and exchanged the sherry vinegar for Ripe Summer Peach white balsamic vinegar I had in my kitchen.
And one more note – from behind the counter the deli clerk recommended I broil these briefly to crisp the prosciutto. That sounded like a great idea so I followed his advice. It made the nectarine slide off the toothpick too easily but it also added a nice depth to the flavor of these pretty late summer snacks. The blend of tart-sweet nectarines, savory basil and salty crisped prosciutto created a pleasingly light but flavorful starter or snack without being overly filling.
Serve and enjoy!
Nectarine Bites with Prosciutto and Basil
Course: Appetizers24
pieces15
minutes3
minutes18
minutesThe blend of luscious fruit with savory basil and crisped prosciutto makes Nectarine Bites a pleasingly light yet flavorful starter.
Ingredients
3 ripe nectarines or peaches, cut into eight wedges each
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vinegar (I used ripe summer peach white balsamic)
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
12 thin slices prosciutto (approximately ¼ pound)
24 small basil leaves
Directions
- Toss the peach wedges with the sugar, vinegar and cumin until well mixed and coated. Let stand 10 minutes.
- Cut the ham slices in half, lengthwise. Wrap one piece of ham around each wedge of nectarine.
- Arrange wedges on a baking sheet. Place under preheated broiler and cook for several minutes until the ham begins to crisp.
- Remove from oven. Place one small basil leaf on the top of the ham wrapped on each nectarine wedge. Secure with a toothpick.
Notes
- Recipe Source: adapted from a recipe at Epicurious.com.
i'm definitely a fan of anything wrapped in prosciutto, particularly sweet and juicy anythings. very nice!
Alanna – Thanks! And, yes, WWF is my first choice for passing idle time in line. You?
Heather – Sweet and Salty is always nice, isn't it? btw – love your beach photos!
These put two of my favorite things together.. Sweet and salty! And addicting combo for sure. Beautiful recipe Lisa.
Very pretty!
PS Words with Friends?