Nectarine Bites with Prosciutto and Basil

Food Apps

Do you use food apps on your iPhone? I have downloaded several. Since many are free I figure why not try them. Still, I must admit I am not in the habit of using them very much.

Recently I was looking through the Epicurious app while I was waiting in the dentist office and 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.

Inspiration On-the-Go

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 did make 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 Boar’s Head 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.

And one more note, from behind the counter the deli clerk recommended I broil these briefly to crisp the prosciutto. I did. It made the peach slide off the toothpick too easily but it also added a nice depth to the flavor of these pretty late summer snacks.

Is this app a keeper? I’d say so. For inspiration on the go it is well worth the cost, and then some.

Nectarines with Proscuitto and Basil

adapted from a recipe at Epicurious

3 ripe nectarines or peaches, cut into eight wedges each

¼ teaspoon sugar

½ 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

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.

Serve and enjoy!