BAKED ASPARAGUS IN PARCHMENT

BAKED ASPARAGUS IN PARCHMENT image

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
1/4 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into 1/4-inch strips
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 teaspoons; additional for drizzling
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Ground black pepper, to taste
Grated nutmeg
3 tarragon sprigs
3/4 cup whole-wheat couscous.

Steps:

Recipe Baked Asparagus Published: April 16, 2010 Time: 75 minutes Skip to next paragraph Related A Good Appetite: Slow-Cooking Asparagus in Paper Packets (April 21, 2010) 1. Heat oven to 200 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (it should be twice as long as pan). Lay asparagus in a pile in center. Scatter mushrooms and prosciutto on top. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and nutmeg. Toss vegetables to coat evenly. Lay tarragon over top. 2. Fold parchment to completely enclose vegetables, and staple top and sides shut (or tie up with string). Transfer pan to oven and bake for one hour. Asparagus should be just cooked through. If too crisp, return to oven until done to taste. 3. In a small pot over medium-high heat, bring 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons water, 2 teaspoons olive oil and remaining salt to a simmer. Stir in couscous and remove pot from heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. 4. Spoon couscous onto serving plates and drizzle with oil. Divide prosciutto and vegetables, and their juices, among the plates and serve. Yield: 2 main-course servings, or 4 side-dish servings.