Asparagus Rolls

Miss Arabella has lost a kilo.

Asparagus Rolls

Asparagus Rolls

That is of tremendous significance.

Sprinkled with a little lemon rind

Sprinkled with a little lemon rind

Because now, the outfit that was too expensive in the shops, that she was out-bid on in an E-bay auction, that she then did buy in a smaller size at an E-bay auction, that was then too tight so she put it back on E-bay, has now been withdrawn from auction.

Made with fresh asparagus

Made with fresh asparagus

To her 21st birthday party, Miss Arabella will wear the outfit that before being worn, has already given us a lot of grief.

Makes 16

Makes 16

And having the outfit sorted is good news for me because it’s peace of mind to have things settled.  Now we just have to battle her ideas of accessories and that’s much less challenging than dealing with, ‘What am I going to wear?’

Quick and easy to make

Quick and easy to make

When Arabella came home from the gym with the riveting news that one whole kilo has vanished, I was in the kitchen making these asparagus rolls.  Earlier in the day I’d been up at the shops where I saw bunches of locally grown fresh asparagus.  The long-awaited arrival of fresh asparagus is a sure sign that Spring is about to arrive – any day!

Party food

Party food

I bought a few bunches and while some spears were steamed and then wrapped in prosciutto, I had a flashback to the 70’s where asparagus rolls were ever-present at posh dinner parties.  Back then of course, the only asparagus we knew existed came in a can and so asparagus rolls didn’t have that vibrantly green factor and there was certainly no crunch.  Even so, they were popular!

15.08.30.16I’ve updated the 70’s version by using fresh asparagus.  This recipe makes about 16 which is about how many slices of bread you get in a single loaf.  Drew loved these little appetisers and said they were so good he couldn’t understand why it is they’ve disappeared from the party scene.

Make sure the asparagus still has some crunch

Make sure the asparagus still has some crunch

If you’re having a 70’s or even an 80’s party, I think these would be wonderful on your menu.

Asparagus rolls

Asparagus rolls

5.0 from 3 reviews
Asparagus Rolls
Author: 
Recipe type: Appetisers
Cuisine: Australian
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 16
 
Freshly steamed asparagus rolled in white bread with a flavoured mayonnaise dressing.
Ingredients
  • 16 spears of asparagus
  • 1 x loaf of sliced sandwich bread
  • ½ cup good quality mayonnaise
  • rind of 1 lemon
  • good pinch of cayenne pepper
  • seasoning
Instructions
  1. Wash asparagus then snap off the woody ends. Steam in the saucepan until tender but still with some crunch. (About 1 minute).
  2. Drain and place in iced water to arrest the cooking. When cold, remove from ice bath and dry on paper towels.
  3. Remove crusts from slices of bread. Roll each slice of bread with a rolling pin until flattened.
  4. Combine mayonnaise with lemon rind and cayenne pepper and seasoning.
  5. Spread mayonnaise on one side of the bread. Place an asparagus spear on the bread diagonally and roll up. Repeat.
  6. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
  7. Best made close to serving.
Best made close to serving time

Best made close to serving time

Comments

  1. Yum I love fresh asparagus! These look cute too. Glad to hear arabella has the dress sorted.

  2. A fun retro recipe with a modern twist. Glad the dress situation is resolving itself x

  3. My parents did entertain a lot in the 70s& 80s but I never saw these on their menus! They certainly look tasty. I love the ones wrapped in prosciutto. Thank goodness the dress thing was sorted out.

  4. Nothing better than fresh, locally grown asparagus. I look forward to asparagus every year!
    Kudos to Arabella for losing the weight, but that poor child was so skinny to begin with! She didn’t need to lose anything at all but I do understand the importance of looking good on your 21st with that right dress.
    Of course, I would never give up food for a dress!! I’d find a bigger dress 🙂
    These rolls look fab, I love the simplicity of them. I’ll have to file away this recipe till next spring when our asparagus comes in.
    Good luck with the rest of the birthday prep!

  5. I remember asparagus rolls from that time period, but always with canned asparagus…bleh. Both of these versions look fun and tasty! No wonder they disappeared quickly. So glad Arabella has her dress sorted for the big event.

  6. Living in an asparagus growing area – they have never gone out of fashion here – fresh or canned – canned ones when fresh isn’t in season – we are still a few weeks off asparagus here.

  7. Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables. But alas, autumn is approaching here in Minnesota with the fresh asparagus season long ended. Next spring…

  8. I remember then fondly, but you are right they were the canned version! I’m so glad the dress is sorted 🙂 Liz xx

  9. Yeah, I remember these, but made with fresh asparagus is 1000x better! SO glad the dress situation is settled 🙂

  10. Reto yet modern. Easy and fun!

  11. Some things should never be forgotten. 🙂 These sound so good and simple.

  12. It has been yeas since I had these, but retro food is great at parties, and this is a delightful come back for the asparagus fan. Back in the day, we simply used the soggy canned asparagus spears and really, they aren’t bad.

  13. These are really fun and great party food indeed! I have never seen these before. Pinning my friend!

  14. Ha this party favourite definitely deserves to be revived. So perfect for picnics too!

  15. I remember not having fresh asparagus as well, it was an odd sort of veggie back in the day. Now I love it and will have to try your recipe. Keep them away from your daughter or the dress just may not fit again;)

  16. I’ve made asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, but I’ve never seen it served with bread and I think it would be great to introduce it at my parties. I do love fresh asparagus. And I’m pleased Miss Arabella is well on her way to being ready to for her special party. I know you’re hoping that with the dress already chosen there won’t be as much drama as previously anticipated, but I think it’s premature to go in that direction with your thinking, Charlie. 🙂 I have a feeling there will still be some interesting twists and turns before we get to that magic “21!” ox

  17. I feel a bit left out as I’ve never seen these but they should have been something that I should have tried at least once. Better late than never though and now I can make my own 😀

  18. LOVE fresh asparagus and can’t wait to see it in the stores here. My sister-in-law grows asparagus amongst loads of other veg but alas she lives thousand of kilometres away from me.
    Have a wonderful day.
    🙂 Mandy xo

  19. I love all these retro recipes. They sure knew how to do things simply back then but it looked so fancy!

  20. The ones wrapped in prosciutto look especially tasty!

  21. I’m so glad the dress situation is sorted. What a load off of your mind! I can’t wait to see what it looks like and to see all the party decorations. I’m sure it will all be lovely! I really like the asparagus rolls. I’ve seen them with prosciutto before, but never sandwich bread. Very interesting!

  22. What a wonderful party appetizer!! I just love asparagus 🙂

  23. Very, very clever!!! I’ve had many of the proscuitto rolled asparagus, but never, bread/mayo rolled. I wonder what it would be like to combine the two. Love these!

  24. Congrats to Arabella! And congrats to you for bringing back such a classic dish. I’ve had these before — decades ago! — and had totally forgotten about them. Really good — thanks!

  25. Proof that each decade comes full circle! There were a lot of fun foods in the 70’s that should still be on our menus. The fresh asparagus wrapped in bread looks delicious!

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