PROSCIUTTO AND AVOCADO WITH HAZELNUT VINAIGRETTE

INGREDIENTS

Serves 2


1 medium ripe Hass avocado

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

1/3 pound thinly sliced prosciutto

2 tablespoons toasted and crushed hazelnuts

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon hazelnut or walnut oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup loosely packed arugula leaves

1. Cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the pit with a knife. Peel the skin gently away and cut out any bruised portions. Cut the avocado lengthwise into 1/2" slices and season them with 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Loosely wrap each avocado slice in a slice of prosciutto.

2. Make the dressing in a small bowl by mixing together the hazelnuts, oils, vinegar, parsley, and salt and remaining pepper.

3. Arrange the arugula leaves on two plates as a bed. Arrange the prosciutto-wrapped avocado across the plates and spoon the dressing over each piece of avocado.

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DIFFERENCES IN AVOCADOS

There are usually two kinds of avocados offered in the United States: bacon and Hass. The bacon avocados are much larger, are light green in color, and have a smooth skin. They also have less fat and more water. The Hass avocados are smaller and darker in color, have a pebbly skin sometimes with a purplish hue, and have a much richer, less watery flesh. They originated in California, first grown (and named) by Rudolph Hass.