Heat wave hor d'oeuvres

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/17/heat-wave-central-us-_n_901170.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%7C78391

HOLY HOTNESS!!! It was 92 degrees at our house today, with humidity so heavy I feel like I'm drowning when I step outside the front door. The sky was cloudy and there was stormy electricity in the air all day, but it's 11:30 pm and there seems to be no relief in sight. It's difficult to cook OR eat much in this heat, but my mama had the perfect solution: using only the toaster oven and grill, she made us a lovely, light and refreshing dinner.

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

Fresh asparagus
Prosciutto
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Coat the asparagus in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Wrap the slices of prosciutto around them, and grill on low heat for 5 minutes, or until the ends of the asparagus start to wilt.

FRESH BRUSCHETTA

3 parts tomatoes
1 part onions
Fresh basil
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
French bread (you can substitute thick crackers)
Parmesan cheese

Chop and mix well: tomatoes, onions, fresh basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Slice the french bread as thin as possible and toast on both sides. Pile as much of the tomato mixture as possible onto each slice of toasted bread, and sprinkle a bit of cheese on top. Toast again until the cheese melts.

Enjoyed best with a cold beer or iced tea in the shade! Stay cool!