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Asparagus Cheese Tarts

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Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Our garden has asparagus popping up all over the place this year. We didn’t plant them; in fact, they were planted by my grandmother in the 1970s and they are still showing up all these years later. For that reason, I will always love asparagus and am always looking for new ways to cook them. Harlie Merten’s recipe for Asparagus Cheese Tarts seemed like a perfect combination to try. Asparagus and cheese? Yes, please.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

In addition to asparagus, you’ll just need sliced mushrooms, grated cheese, lemon zest, sour cream and frozen puff pastry which comes in sheets in the frozen food section of the grocery store. You’ll also need a bit of salt, pepper, and olive oil.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

You’ll start by sautéing the mushrooms in a pan with a bit of olive oil or butter. The key with mushrooms is to not stir them around too much in the pan. You want them to brown before they release their juices, since that adds a lovely earthy flavor.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Once they have a nice brown color, simply sprinkle with salt, and that will help release the moisture.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Give them a stir now so they cook on both sides. They will start to shrink quite a bit.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Give them a few turns of pepper and let them cool off the heat while you tend to the asparagus.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

The asparagus can be cut in any way you please. I went for diagonals because it looks nice, but you could cut them lengthwise as well.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Slice them all as uniformly as possible so that they cook evenly.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Then toss them in with the mushrooms and sauté them briefly.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Add this whole mixture to a bowl and let it cool for a few minutes.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Then add the sour cream, cheese, and lemon zest and give it a stir so that it is nicely incorporated.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Then you preheat the oven to 400ºF and grease a sheet tray. Hopefully yours doesn’t look as sad as mine—or as “loved,” as I like to say.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Cut the puff pastry into whatever shapes you’d like. You could do small single serving squares or longer rectangular tarts that you can then cut later. Score the edges all the way around.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

Brush the puff pastry with a little oil…

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

And pile the mixture on top, making sure to leave at least 1 inch around all sides.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Asparagus Cheese Tarts. Guest post by Georgia Pellegrini, recipe submitted by TK member Harlie Merten (sissy1) of One Bakin' Blonde.

In about 20 minutes, you will have this very easy, very delicious asparagus cheese tart, perfect for a last-minute meal or party food. Give this a try sometime! And thanks to Harlie for such a great recipe. Visit her blog, One Bakin’ Blonde, for more of her recipes!

 
 

Printable Recipe

Asparagus Cheese Tarts

5.00 Mitt(s) 1 Rating(s)1 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 5

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Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 12

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Description

A small and simple appetizer made with a citrusy bite!

Ingredients

  • 2 pieces Thawed Puff Pastry
  • 10 ounces, weight Fresh Sliced Mushrooms
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt, Divided
  • ½ teaspoons Black Pepper, Divided
  • 1 pound Fresh Asparagus
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheese
  • ½ cups Sour Cream

Preparation Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.

2. Roll out the pastry sheet and cut into 6 small squares.

3. Using a small knife, score a ½” border around the inside edge of each square and place on a greased baking sheet.

4. Sauté mushrooms in a skillet and add half of the salt and pepper.

5. Transfer to a large bowl and cool.

6. Cut asparagus on the diagonal into 1” pieces and add to the mushroom mixture.

7. Add in lemon zest, remaining salt and pepper, cheese and sour cream.

8. Spoon filling on the pastry squares, leaving ½” border.

9. Bake 20 to 22 minutes.

 
 
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There’s so much to say about Georgia, we don’t know where to start. Leaving Wall Street for the French Culinary Institute, followed by a stint at the Gramercy Tavern and La Chassagnette in France, her passion for food and food traditions are evident and inspiring. Visit her site at Georgia Pellegrini, where you’ll find more recipes, photos, learn all about her wonderful book Food Heroes, and enjoy her latest adventures.

 
 

24 Comments

Comments are closed for this recipe.

suzanne g.g. on 7.21.2011

My husband loved this and he is a dyed-in-the-wool meat eater. We used half cheddar and half muenster and it came out delish. It was our first try at using puffy pastry and we were really pleased with it. We are definitely adding this to the summer-time dinner rotation.

kristina on 7.20.2011

I used the pre shredded “mexican” cheese you can find in the dairy aisle. It worked for me. (it’s great when you can’t make up your mind between mozz, cheddar or jack) If I was going to go a more gourmet route, I would probably use gruyere. I think it would taste great with the mushrooms and asparagus. Or shredded swiss.

Pseudo on 7.19.2011

Well, this looks and sounds delicious. Guess I will stop blog reading and go make something to eat as I am now hungry.

Rleigh on 7.19.2011

I also wonder what type of cheese you recommend. Sharp? Mild?

kristina on 7.19.2011

Made it tonight. I’d like more direction in these instructions regarding the puff pastry. Puff pastry confuses me. And where everything else came out perfectly, my puff pastry was browned and crinkly on the edges. And very dry. Even though I oiled it.

Stuckinmypedals, use onions to substitute for mushrooms, or maybe potatoes or beets. I would go with anything you consider “earthy” since that is the essence that mushrooms convey. Also, for a fresher flavor, but similar texture, zuchini squash may work.

Enjoy it. It tasted great, so I know you’ll love it. I may just use pizza dough or naan next time though… seems easier.

stuckinmypedals on 7.19.2011

Looks delicious! I can’t do mushrooms, does anyone have a substitution that would do the job and still be tasty?

Ann on 7.19.2011

So beautiful…so delicious! I love asparagus and that you made the tarts square just makes it that much more beautiful!!

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callimakesdo on 7.19.2011

That looks divine. It would be so pretty served at a luncheon or girl’s night in. I only wish I had asparagus in my garden!

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Melissa H from So. Fla. on 7.19.2011

I made this last night and it was so yummy.
My only problem:
My puff pastry didn’t “puff”…(only on the sides), which lead me to believe I overloaded it??

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Laurie - Simply Scratch on 7.19.2011

I love this!! Georgia… this looks amazing! Great recipe!!

Becki Hein on 7.18.2011

What KIND of cheese???????

Mary Connealy on 7.18.2011

I’m so hungry my foot is starting to look tasty.

cynthia on 7.18.2011

lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee asparagus.

Heather of Kitchen Concoctions on 7.18.2011

This tart look fabulous!

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Katrina on 7.18.2011

Everything about this sounds yummy. Awesome idea!

Heather on 7.18.2011

What a fun way to get more asparagus (and cheese!!!) into your diet! :)

Misha Hunter on 7.18.2011

Yummm! When it becomes cool enough for the oven to be turned on again I must try this. Thanks for sharing!

'Licia on 7.18.2011

Yum. A must-make. Thanks.

VADEPAN on 7.18.2011

This looks delicious!!!!thanks for sharing!!!!

Mrs C on 7.18.2011

Wow!! These just look amazing!! Beautiful too! What’s the one thing you can’t live without in your kitchen? I made my list!!!

http://www.MrsCapretta.com

Amy | She Wears Many Hats on 7.18.2011

Oh man … this looks loverly! And tasty too!

Michelle on 7.18.2011

Lovely! I just made a tart very similar to this and used creme frashe, worth trying out. I love the fact that you have asparagus coming up that your grandma plated!

Diana K. on 7.18.2011

Perfect timing! I have a bunch of asparagus and mushrooms I need to use up! Will pick some puff pastry up on the way home from work :)

lauren in arkansas on 7.18.2011

Mmm. What a great idea! I may try this very soon! Thank you!