ASPARAGUS AND PROSCIUTTO BUNDLES

Asparagus and Prosciutto Bundles image

Yield Makes 24

Number Of Ingredients 7

48 thin asparagus spears
2 1/2 ounces soft fresh goat cheese (such as Montrachet), room temperature
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, chopped
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into twenty-four 4x1-inch strips

Steps:

Cut stalks from asparagus, leaving 2-inch-long tips. (Reserve asparagus stalks for another use; see note in recipe introduction.) Cook asparagus tips in large pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Drain. Transfer asparagus to paper towels and drain well.
Mix goat cheese, basil, pine nuts, water and orange peel in small bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Spread scant 1 teaspoon filling over each prosciutto strip. Arrange 2 asparagus tips atop filling at 1 short end of prosciutto. Roll up prosciutto, enclosing base of asparagus. Press to seal. Place on platter. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)