This arugula salad with Serrano ham is fresh, healthy and delicious. The paper-thin sliced Serrano ham with an aromatic taste or Italian Prosciutto if you prefer the milder taste, perfectly complements the peppery arugula salad with dried tomatoes. Other greens like romaine and curly endives are good choices too. The sophisticated salad gets the necessary zing with a basil pesto and makes a wonderful appetizer especially on hot summer days.
40 g Pine nuts
1 bunch Basil
1 clove Garlic
150 ml Olive oil
40 g Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
Salt to taste
200 g Arugula, or other greens
Olives of your choice
100 g Serrano ham
100 g Dried tomatoes, in olive oil
Toast pine nuts in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until they're golden-brown and smell quite nutty. Set aside to cool.
Pluck off the basil leaves. Peel garlic clove and crush with a little salt and pine nuts in a mortar.
Add basil or chop everything in a blitz chopper. Add finely grated Parmesan cheese and gradually add olive oil. Season the pesto with salt.
Clean and dry arugula leaves. Place them in a large salad bowl with olives and toss with a tablespoon of pesto. Arrange them on serving plates.
Roughly tear the Serrano ham into strips and place them and dried tomatoes on the arugula leaves. Serve the salad with pesto aside.
