Last-Minute Appetizer: Prosciutto-Wrapped Arugula

When I'm cooking for a big group, there are two things I know for sure: 1) I'm going to be worried I don't have enough food and 2) I'm going to be short on time. That's when last-minute appetizers like this come in handy.

Prosciutto-wrapped arugula needs no cooking, uses two ingredients and requires minimal prep, making it a great option for those times when you need one more platter of food, but don't have an extra hour to make it happen. Wrapping prosciutto around anything is pretty much guaranteed to be tasty, but the peppery bite of arugula pairs especially well with the pork.

Plus, the task of making these is easy enough to be delegated to any early-arriving friends who want to help out. Put a big pinch of arugula onto a piece of prosciutto, roll and repeat. They can be fancied up with toothpicks or dabs of sauce, but they're just as good (and good-looking) without either.

Do you have any favorite last-minute appetizers?

(Image: Anjali Prasertong)

Comments (10)

I'm a big believer in the wonders of cheese and crackers, or hummus and crackers.

Add pear and blue cheese to these prosciutto-arugula wraps - it's delicious!

Yeah, I can definitely see the added benefit of some cheese or something with further bite in the rocket. Bit more texture - some added umami :)

I've also done mini caprese salads-- cherry tomatoes and bocconcini (the mini mozzarella balls, usually in the olive bar area of the grocery store) on toothpicks or bamboo skewers, drizzled with basil oil (which is 30 seconds worth of work: basil, olive oil, food processor, done.) Looks gorgeous, tastes great, and the work is totally doable for early friends/friends who don't think they can cook.

This was in a recent Bon appetit, I believe - have used it several times over the summer and early fall:

Black pepper, thick cut potato chip
Small piece of smoked salmon on top
A small dollop of creme fraiche on that (add lemon zest into it if you want - I always do)
Snip some chives on top of the creme fraiche

Super simple, and people go nuts for them.

Similar idea: smoked salmon rolled around shiso leaf

I use arugula as my go-to, week night too-tired-to-cook food. I sit down with a box of baby arugula, some bread drizzled with olive oil and a nice oaky wine, and munch on the raw leaves, or sprinkle some on the bread. I can mindlessly go through an entire box of fresh, flavourful goodness without feeling like I've over-eaten. Seriously, grab a box of arugula next time you sit down to a movie instead of chips. Works wonders.

OMG, I just made this (ok prepared....) it was small but satisfying!

My quick appies, depending on the level of casualness, are:
- warm, spiced nuts served in Chinese spoons
- oyster shooters (oysters in tomato juice in tall shot glasses)
- smoked oysters with slivers of extra old cheddar on rice crackers