Caesar Asparagus Tart Food

CHEESY PUFF PASTRY ASPARAGUS TART

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 220ºC/430ºF. Line a baking sheet with baking/parchment paper.
• To make the cheese mixture, combine the cream cheese, egg yolks, Parmesan, thyme, lemon zest, salt and pepper and mix well.
• Gently roll the puff pastry out into a large rectangle (to fit the baking sheet). Score a border around the edge (taking care not to cut all the way through the pastry).
• Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the puff pastry, staying within the borders then top with the asparagus and season with salt and pepper.. Brush the edges of the pastry with beaten egg.
• Place the tart into the oven and allow to bake for 15-20 minutes until the pastry is golden and cooked through.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

ASPARAGUS AND CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in a large skillet. Add the asparagus; cook until bright green and crisp-tender, 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus. Drain and transfer to the ice water to stop the cooking; drain and pat dry. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Roll out the puff pastry into a 10-by-16-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and prick all over with a fork. Bake until light golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool slightly on the baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, mix the fontina, comte, shallot, egg yolks, milk, nutmeg and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a bowl until combined. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the puff pastry, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Toss the asparagus with the olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Arrange the asparagus on the tart and bake until the cheese mixture is slightly puffy, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the lemon zest. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SPRING ASPARAGUS TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly flour the work surface and roll out the puff pastry to a 9- by 12-inch even rectangle. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Combine the mascarpone, 1 1/4 teaspoons of the salt, the flour, egg and lemon zest, and then fold in the chives and tarragon. Spread over the puff pastry, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Make small cuts around the border about 1 inch apart with the tip of a paring knife.
• Toss the asparagus with the olive oil in a bowl. Lay half of the asparagus in a neat row across the surface of the tart so the tips meet the edge. Do the same in the opposite direction with the remaining asparagus. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Bake until the border of the tart is deep golden and puffed and the top is lightly spotted golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes and serve.
• Serve with lightly dressed greens.

ASPARAGUS, GOAT CHEESE AND TARRAGON TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium bowl, use a fork or a wooden spoon to mash together the goat cheese, egg, garlic, tarragon, lemon zest, salt and nutmeg until smooth. Switch to a whisk and beat in the crème fraîche until smooth.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out puff pastry into a 13-by-11-inch rectangle about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined cookie sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score a 1/2-inch border around the edges of the puff pastry.
• Spread the crème fraîche mixture evenly inside the scored border. Line up the asparagus spears on top, and brush them with olive oil. Sprinkle some salt and the grated Parmesan over the asparagus.
• Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Let it cool on the cookie sheet for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours before serving. Then sprinkle black pepper, red-pepper flakes (if using), the shaved Parmesan and tarragon leaves. Drizzle a little oil on top.

CHEESY ASPARAGUS TART

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the leeks, then sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Unroll the two pie crusts and lay on a sheet pan so that the pieces overlap slightly. Trim the edges of the pastry where it rides up the sides of the sheet pan and press these trimmings into the bare areas so that you are left with a 10-by-16-inch pastry rectangle.
• Sprinkle over the fontina, leaving a 1-inch border, then top with the leeks. Dollop on the ricotta. Scatter the thyme and asparagus pieces over the ricotta and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fold the uncovered pastry edge inwards to make a 1/2-inch border all the way around the tart, in the style of a galette.
• Whisk the egg with a splash of water in a small bowl. Brush it all around the pastry edge.
• Bake the tart until it is a deep golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. (If the crust is browning too fast, reduce the heat to 425 degrees F.)
• Remove the tart from the oven, then allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Cut into pieces and serve.

WHOLE CRISPY ROAST CHICKEN & ASPARAGUS CAESAR

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Zest the lemon into a bowl. Season the cavity of the chicken, cut the zested lemon in half and push into the cavity. Put the butter in the bowl with the lemon zest, add the garlic and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Mash together, then push under the skin of the breast using your fingers. Season the skin and drizzle with a good glug of olive oil. Roast for 30 mins, then reduce the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and cook the chicken for a further 50 mins-1 hr or until cooked through. Once cooked, cover and rest for 20 mins.
• Meanwhile, for the dressing, whisk the egg yolk, anchovies, garlic and Dijon together in a bowl. Gradually whisk in both oils, then whisk in the lemon juice and, if it's a little thick, 50ml warm water, followed by the cheese and a good pinch of seasoning.
• Toss the sourdough pieces with the 1 tbsp olive oil and spread out on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 mins or until golden.
• Bring a pan of lightly salted water to the simmer. Add the asparagus and cook for 2-3 mins. Drain and leave to steam-dry for a few minutes.
• Carve the chicken. Remove both legs and cut the breast into 1cm slices. Arrange on a platter with the asparagus. Top with the croutons, two-thirds of the dressing (save the rest for leftovers - see tip below), the shaved parmesan and a grinding of black pepper.

CRAB ASPARAGUS TART

Steps:

• Make the crust: Place the butter, flour and water in a food processor.
• Pulse until it begins to form a dough.
• Remove, gather in a ball, flatten, wrap in plastic film and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• For the filling: Saute asparagus pieces in some garlic and olive oil until slightly softened.
• Add tomatoes just enough to warm through.
• In a large bowl, mix together ricotta, eggs, cream and parmesan.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Remove dough from refrigerator.
• Cut dough in half and roll each half out with a rolling pin to about 1/2 inch thickness.
• Place each in bottom of a 9” pie pan.
• With a fork, poke holes on the bottom, then place in the middle of the oven and bake for about 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Pour half of the filling inside each of the two baked crusts, and return to the oven.
• Bake for about 40-45 minutes, until the batter is set and slightly golden on top.

FANCY ASPARAGUS TART

Steps:

• Defrost 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry (usually this takes 40 minutes at room temperature).
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Drain and rinse the beans. Clean the asparagus, trim their tough ends and cut them in half.
• Add all ingredients, except for the asparagus and puff pastry, to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until everything is nice and smooth. You might need to use more or less rice milk depending on the consistency you want.
• Lay a parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet. Spread the puff pastry on it (you can roll it a bit if you want to). Cut the pastry sheet into 4 equal pieces.
• Spread your bean mix on top of the pastry leaving a 1/2 inch border on all sides. Top with the asparagus halves.
• Bake the individual tarts for 22-24 minutes.

GREEK ASPARAGUS TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• Press Greek Baking-Powder Piecrust into a 10-inch quiche dish coated with cooking spray.
• Combine eggs and egg whites in a medium bowl; beat well with a whisk. Brush 2 tablespoons egg mixture over crust; set remaining egg mixture aside. Bake for 7 minutes; cool on a wire rack.
• Snap off tough ends of asparagus; remove scales with a knife or vegetable peeler, if desired. Cut asparagus into 5-inch pieces. Steam asparagus, covered, 5 minutes or until tender. Rinse under cold water. Drain well; set aside.
• Add skim milk and remaining ingredients to remaining egg mixture in bowl, and beat well. Pour into prepared crust. Arrange steamed asparagus spokelike in egg mixture, alternating stems and tips.
• Bake tart at 375° for 35 minutes or until a knife inserted near center of tart comes out clean.