Spring

Asparagus and Roquefort Tart

April  8, 2010
4
3 Ratings
  • Serves 6-8 as a starter
Author Notes

Asparagus has just hit the farmers markets here in San Diego, beginning in late February. I wanted to make a tart featuring asparagus that was not overpowered by either bacon or pancetta. Roquefort provided the salt and depth I wanted, allowing the asparagus to be the highlight of the dish. Not much of a pie crust fan, I tried for more of a crisp pastry with a boost of flavor from the cheese added to the crust. Serve this rich tart in small slices for a starter or snack. —Lizthechef

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Ingredients
  • Pastry
  • 1 single, unbaked pie crust
  • 1 ounce roquefort
  • 1 tablespoon egg wash
  • Filling
  • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
  • two scallions, chopped, white and light green parts only
  • 8 asparagus stalks, trimmed, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces roquefort, crumbled
Directions
  1. Pastry
  2. Once your crust has been prepared and properly chilled, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out the crust on a floured surface. Sprinkle bits of the cheese onto the crust and lightly press into the pastry, using your fingers. Gently settle crust into a ceramic quiche dish, cheese side up, brush with egg wash and prick with a fork across surface.
  3. Bake crust for 20 minutes, or until browned. Remove from oven and add filling. (Leave the oven on).
  1. Filling
  2. While the crust is browning, saute scallions in small pan for a minute or two and set aside. Blanch asparagus in boiling, salted water for about two minutes. Drain and "shock" in ice water. Dry on paper towels and set aside. Beat the eggs with the cream and season to taste.
  3. Once the crust has browned, distribute asparagus, scallions and cheese evenly over the crust. Gently pour the custard over all. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

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9 Reviews

Midge March 7, 2011
Delicious!
Lizthechef March 7, 2011
Thanks, Midge, but I've decided ChefJune is right about it being too spring-like, so I'm posting another one that is definitely "late winter" regardless of what area of the country we live in...
ChefJune March 6, 2011
This sounds so delicious, but for me, asparagus screams SPRING!
Lizthechef March 6, 2011
Sorry but it is spring here in San Diego...
MyCommunalTable March 5, 2011
You can never miss with blue cheese and asparagus! Love it.
Lizthechef March 5, 2011
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Lizthechef April 8, 2010
I feel so foolish - thanks, yet again...my type doesn't do well with "1 1/2" so I type it out.
Lizthechef April 8, 2010
Food52 team, why am I unable to correctly edit my ingedients that are singular - all these extra "s's" set my teeth on edge. My error, obviously. Thank you.
Food52 April 8, 2010
If you use a numeric "1" rather than spelling it out, the system should recognize that the measurement is singular. Hope that helps!