Asparagus Puff Pastry Tarts
Rated 4.8 stars by 6 users
Author:
Drogo
Servings
5 - 6
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Asparagus puff pastry tarts are an easy way to put the season's best green spears at the centre of a light, impressive lunch. This spring asparagus recipe uses crisp, golden puff pastry as a quick base for whatever toppings work with the asparagus, from soft cheese and lemon zest to a scatter of fresh herbs. We make them most often when British asparagus is in peak season from late April to June, but they work equally well with white spears or thin tips at other times of the year. Ready in around 25 minutes, this easy puff pastry tart is a strong pick for picnics, brunch spreads or a relaxed weekend lunch.
Ingredients
Asparagus Puff Pastry Tarts
-
250g Wye Valley asparagus
-
320g ready rolled puff pastry
-
50g cream cheese
-
2 cloves garlic, crushed or finely grated
-
1 egg, beaten
-
Chilli flakes, to taste
-
Onion seeds, to taste
Directions
Step 1, Preheat the oven to 200C.
Step 2, Trim the woody ends from the asparagus and cut into three short lengths. Cook in boiling salted water for 1-2 minutes (depending on thickness).
Step 3, Lay the paste on a lightly floured surface and cut into 6 squares. Cut a border edge around each square to make a ‘frame’ without cutting all the way through the pastry. Brush the border with beaten egg.
Step 4, Combine the cream cheese, garlic, lemon zest and some salt and spread into the centre of each tart base. Top each with several pieces of asparagus and sprinkle with chilli flakes and onion seeds, to taste.
Step 5, Cook for 25 minutes, until puffed and golden.
Recipe Note
About These Asparagus Puff Pastry Tarts
Asparagus is one of the most short-lived British vegetables, with a true season that runs from late April to around the longest day in June. Pairing it with all-butter puff pastry is one of the simplest ways to put it centre stage: the pastry crisps and puffs around the spears, the asparagus softens just enough to stay green and snappy, and a quick layer of soft cheese or crème fraîche underneath keeps everything moist.
As asparagus tart recipes go, this one is more refined than the work involved, which is why it quietly turns up at most of our spring picnics and lunches.
Serving Suggestions
These asparagus puff pastry tarts work beautifully as a starter, a light lunch with a green salad and a sharp vinaigrette, or part of a picnic spread with cured meats and pickles.
As a picnic recipe, they are best eaten warm from the oven, but hold up well at room temperature for a couple of hours. A chilled glass of dry English white wine, a Picpoul or a crisp Provence rosé all pair particularly well.
Ingredients you'll need
