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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Asparagus Tart

Asparagus Tart in Rectangular Tart Tray or Deep Flexipat®

Puff pastry from the grocery store works well in this savory tart. Thaw pastry according to package directions. Fontina cheese can be substituted for the Gruyere cheese. If you prefer your asparagus more tender, blanch asparagus prior to baking, following the directions in May's Tool Tips.
Ingredients:
1 sheet frozen puff pastry
5 1/2 ounces Gruyere cheese (2 cups) shredded
1 1/2 lbs medium or thick asparagus
Salt and pepper

Tools:
Roul’Pat®
Rolling Pin
Deep Flexipat® or Rectangular Tart Mold
Perforated Baking Sheet

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees F.

1. Lay puff pastry on the Roul’Pat®.
2. Gently and quickly roll out the puff pastry to a
16”x 10” rectangle.
3. Using the back side of the Cake Server
Knife cut straight edges around the outer
edges of the pastry being sure not to cut the
Roul’Pat®.
4. Place pastry in Flexipat®.
5. Using the back side of your cake server knife,
score pastry dough one inch from the edge
making an inner rectangle. With a fork gently
pierce the inner rectangle once or twice per
inch. Again be careful not to pierce the
Roul’Pat®.
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Remove dish from oven.
8. Sprinkle cheese atop the pastry.
9. Trim the asparagus to fit the inner rectangle of the pastry so it will be as
pretty as it is tasty.
10. Place Asparagus in a single layer over the cheese and alternate the tips and
ends.
11. Season with salt and pepper and bake until tender, about 20-25 minutes.
12. You can serve this in pieces the size of square pizza or serve it as a finger
food or appetizer in smaller sections.

If you use the Rectangular Tart Mold you would use the same process except make two layers.

Directions using the Rectangular Tart Mold:

1. Cut puff pastry into two 10”x 5”
rectangles and follow directions
above for each pastry.
2. Place one 10”x 5” pastry sheet in
Rectangular Tart Mold and bake
for 10-12 minutes.
3. Unmold and set aside.
4. Repeat with second pastry sheet.
5. Assemble with two layers: pastry, cheese,
asparagus; repeat
6. Place back into the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until
golden brown.
Tips for Asparagus Tart Recipe:


Try drizzling our Demarle at Home Apple Pear Balsamic on top of this tart…it is to die for!
You can pre bake the pastry.
When asparagus season has left us, replace asparagus with whatever Mother Nature is currently providing. For example use pears with Demarle at Home Apple Pear Balsamic and follow the recipe directions.