Asparagus Toasties

Cheese toasties make a delicious and warming light lunch or snack. Team up with a bowl of yummy soup and you have a satisfying healthy dinner.

Ingredients

• 12 asparagus spears, woody ends removed
• 4 individual Turkish breads, sliced in half lengthways
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 cup grated tasty cheese
• 8 slices prosciutto

Salsa:

• 1 cup trimmed snow pea shoots (see Tip)
• 1/4 red onion, chopped finely
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Method

1. Blanch asparagus by placing in a large heatproof and covering with boiling water. Allow to stand for 30-60 seconds. Remove asparagus and place in a separate large bowl of cold water for 1 minute to prevent further cooking. Remove and pat dry with paper towel.
2. Prepare salsa by combining all the ingredients.
3. Toast bread on both sides. Spread 1 teaspoon mustard over cut sides of toast.
4. Arrange 3 blanched asparagus spears on each slice and sprinkle with cheese. Grill under a hot grill until the cheese is bubbly.
5. Place toasties on servings plates, top each slice with a slice of prosciutto and a spoonful of salsa and serve at once.

Tips

• For a variation, use ham instead of the prosciutto.
• You can replace snow pea shoots with mung bean shoots, other sprout mixes, and small rocket leaves or sliced fresh basil.
• For a vegetarian option omit the prosciutto.