Asparagus Puff Ring Food

ASPARAGUS PUFF RING

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour and salt all at once; stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each; beat until smooth. Stir in 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. , Using 1/4 cupfuls of dough, form a ring around the sides of a greased 10-in. quiche pan or pie plate (mounds should touch). Top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 400° for 35 minutes., Meanwhile, cook asparagus in a small amount of water for 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. , In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; add cheeses and stir until melted. , Stir in ham and asparagus; spoon into ring. Serve immediately.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Break off the tough ends of the asparagus and, if they're thick, peel them. Place the asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, then toss to coat the asparagus completely. Spread the asparagus in a single layer and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Roast the asparagus for 25 minutes, until tender but still crisp.

ASPARAGUS IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, bring water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain asparagus and immediately place in ice water; drain and pat dry. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and salt until smooth; set aside., Unfold the dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet in half widthwise. For each rectangle, spread cream cheese mixture lengthwise over half of the dough to within 1/2 in. of edges. Arrange two rows of three asparagus spears lengthwise in a single layer over cream cheese., Brush edges of dough with some of the egg substitute; fold dough over filling and press edges together to seal. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour., Cut widthwise into 1-1/4-in. pieces. Place 1 in. apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush with remaining egg substitute. Bake at 425° for 8-12 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

ASPARAGUS PUFF PASTRY SNACKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C.
• Divide the pastry sheet in half and cut each half into 4 equal strips.
• In a medium sized bowl, combine the cream cheese, the dill or chives, garlic, (optional) orange or lemon zest, (optional) orange or lemon juice, and (optional) crab, salmon or ham until they are well combined. If your cheese mixture becomes too thin (aha, sounds like you added too much juice!) add a one of the optional meats: crab, salmon or ham. Or, if you want to keep the dish vegetarian, add some more dill or chives.
• Place the 8 strips of pastry onto a greased baking tray and spread them with the cream cheese mixture.
• Arrange 2 - 3 thoroughly-drained Asparagus Green Spears on each strip of pastry and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 15-18 minutes.
• TIPS: If you love feta, you may well want to use feta instead of cream cheese. The original recipe also suggested adding finely chopped cooked bacon to the cream cheese. If you're not adding orange or lemon, you may well like to add bacon to the cream cheese.