Asparagus and Parmesan pastry
Just have to give you the most delicious asparagus and parmesan tart. I made it on Saturday night for a party, and again on Sunday for one of our impromptu Sunday night dinners. Stolen from BBC Good Food magazine (I think), via the Daily Mail, it's ridiculously easy, and people went bananas for it... Also, I made the mascarpone/parmesan mixture the day before, and assembly takes seconds, so you don't have to slave over the hot stove while your guests are there...
Asparagus and Parmesan pastry (Serves 4)
- 6 tbsp mascarpone
- 1 1/2oz grated Parmesan, plus extra shavings to serve
- 3 tbsp finely chopped basil
- zest of 1/2 lemon salt
- freshly ground pepper
- 1 pack ready-rolled puff pastry, quartered (then cut to the length of the asparagus)
- bundle of asparagus spears, twiggy part snapped off
- 1 tbsp olive oil
TO SERVE
- Good handful of pretty salad leaves, such as arugula, , frise and little red chard, tossed in vinaigrette, shaved parmesan
METHOD
- Heat oven to 200c/fan 180c/gas 6. Mix the mascarpone with the Parmesan, basil and lemon zest, then season.
- Lift the pastry on to two trays, then score around the edges of each piece to make a thin border. Spread the cheese mixture within the borders.
- Toss the asparagus in the oil, then arrange the bundles on top of the pastry (these can be stacked a bit for height). Bake the pastries for 20-25 minutes until golden, then serve warm topped with the dressed salad leaves and a few shavings of Parmesan.
I just wrote it down... Can't wait to try it! Thanks!
I just wrote it down... Can't wait to try it! Thanks!
Hi! This is not a comment on the recipe. I've read your book The Other Woman, and am now reading The Beach House, and am enjoying it.....except for one thing. Why do your American characters use British words and turns of phrase? For example, americans don't use the word "row" to mean "fight", or "bit" to mean "piece" or "part". And we don't start a new sentence or thought with "Right." Please, this is affecting my enjoyment of a very good story.
Hi! This is not a comment on the recipe. I've read your book The Other Woman, and am now reading The Beach House, and am enjoying it.....except for one thing. Why do your American characters use British words and turns of phrase? For example, americans don't use the word "row" to mean "fight", or "bit" to mean "piece" or "part". And we don't start a new sentence or thought with "Right." Please, this is affecting my enjoyment of a very good story.
My American characters use Britishisms because, irritating as it is, I'm British. I do my best to make them sound American - four American kids and you'd think I could get it right - but clearly I'm still very English in many respects. These are the sorts of things you hope your editor will pick up on, but evidently not, and I'm so sorry it's affecting your enjoyment...
This recipe is FABULOUS!!!! I can't wait to make it. Great blog....will be delving into more of the archives right now. Ciao!
This recipe is FABULOUS!!!! I can't wait to make it. Great blog....will be delving into more of the archives right now. Ciao!