Green Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart (Print Version)
A crisp puff pastry creation featuring vibrant green asparagus and creamy cheese, perfect for any light meal.
# What You Need:
→ Puff Pastry
01 - 1 sheet (approximately 8.8 ounces) ready-rolled puff pastry
→ Vegetables
02 - 10.6 ounces green asparagus, trimmed
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
→ Cheese and Dairy
04 - 3.5 ounces crème fraîche or sour cream
05 - 2.1 ounces grated Gruyère or Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 large egg yolk (for brushing)
→ Seasonings
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1 clove garlic, minced
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02 - Carefully unroll the puff pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, gently score a 0.4-inch (1 cm) border around the perimeter of the pastry, ensuring not to cut all the way through.
03 - In a small bowl, combine the crème fraîche or sour cream with the grated Gruyère or Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the puff pastry, making sure to avoid the scored border.
04 - Neatly arrange the trimmed green asparagus spears and the thinly sliced red onion (if using) over the cheese layer. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with lemon zest, if desired, for an added bright flavor.
05 - Brush the scored border of the puff pastry with the beaten egg yolk. This will help create a beautiful golden-brown, puffed crust during baking.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is visibly puffed and golden brown, and the asparagus is tender-crisp.
07 - Allow the tart to cool slightly on the baking sheet before carefully cutting it into individual squares. Serve this delightful tart warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's an absolute showstopper that secretly takes hardly any effort, leaving you more time to enjoy your guests.
- The combination of crisp pastry, creamy cheese, and tender-crisp asparagus is pure culinary comfort with an elegant touch.
02 -
- Don't skip scoring the border; it's the secret to getting that beautifully defined, puffed edge.
- Freshly grated cheese makes a huge difference in flavor and melt compared to pre-shredded varieties.
03 -
- If your pastry is sticking, lightly flour your parchment paper before unrolling, but use a very minimal amount.
- For extra crispness, make sure your asparagus is thoroughly dry before placing it on the tart.