Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Savory Asparagus and Goat's Cheese Tart for Outdoor Wednesday




From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I love the graceful sway and swish of asparagus as it moves with the wind. The area in which I live is home to an assemblage of asparagus farms so we see a lot of it at this time of year. My love affair with asparagus began in the Victory Garden where I played as a child. I'd use the fronds to make a hula skirt or, on those occasions when I felt more regal, fashion a fan to be used by the Queen of Sheba. My love of the vegetable came much later, but when the connection was made it was a marriage made in heaven. Local asparagus has finally made its way to our green markets and Oregon artisanal cheeses and hazelnuts are again available. For the next few weeks I can dash to Canby Farms for really fresh asparagus and, along the way, pick up goat cheese made by a friend for friends. When both are plentiful this tart is sure to appear on our table. It is wonderfully flavorful but it's not for the faint of heart. If you like the piquancy of goat cheese you'll love this tart. If you're not a fan of strong cheese it's best you take a pass. This is really easy to make and it's quite pretty to look at. That's a hard combination to beat. Here are the pictures of the tart. The recipe follows.






Asparagus and Goat's Cheese Tart...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 ready-made pie crust
3/4 pound fresh asparagus
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup toasted chopped hazelnuts
1-3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons low-fat buttermilk
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll pie dough to fit a 9-inch loose-bottomed quiche pan. Line pan with pastry; prick base with fork and chill for 30 minutes. Fit a piece of foil into the the pie pan and fill with dried beans or rice. Blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and beans and bake for 15 minutes longer, or until crust is a light golden brown.
2) Place asparagus on a plate; sprinkle with water. Cover loosely with microwavable plastic wrap. Cook on HIGH power for 3 minutes. Let cool slightly. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.
3) Place oil in a medium skillet and saute onion until soft. Spoon onion, hazelnuts and asparagus into the prepared pie crust.
4) Place cheese, eggs and buttermilk in jar of a blender. Process until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. Pour mixture over pie filling.
5) Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese filling is just set. Serve warm or at room temperature. Yield: 6 servings.

I'm sending this to Outdoor Wednesday, an event sponsored by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

67 comments :

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday Mary! My Dad ued to talk about his Victory Garden that they had as a child.... yummmmm... I am sitting here... thinking that I may actually have everything I need to make the asparagus tart!! Thanks for sharing your photos and recipe.~ Susan

Joan@anythinggoeshere said...

I love how asparagus looks when it has gone too far. I have picked it in the fall when it is yellow to use in arrangement. What you made with the right size stuff looks really good. too. Happy Outdoor Wednesday

Ning said...

Living in a city, I have never seen an asparagus plant. Thank you for this wonderful post!

stefanie said...

mmmmmmmm, thanks for sharing.

Beach House Dreamer said...

It's bookmarked in my recipe file!

Puna said...

I love asparagus. And I'm going to make this recipe this weekend.

Kammy said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday !
Your photots are lovely ! Thanks for sharing and have a great day !
Hugs ~ Kammy
p.s. this is my first Outdoor Wednesday - it is so much fun !

Martha said...

I love garden asparagus -- that's almost all we ever eat as a vegetable during the season. And, of course, some gets into a tart -- as well as soup.

Cathy said...

Goat cheese is a favorite, especially those made by local artisans. What a lovely tart, Mary. Perfect for either lunch or dinner.

Bunny said...

A bite of this tart would indeed be the perfect bite. It looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

The asparagus tart really looks inviting that it makes me wanna eat it :-) But I don't think I've tasted one. Not the asparagus tart nor the asparagus in itself. Maybe this will get me to try one though I'm not sure this is always available here. Cause what you made sure looks delicious :-)

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

Li

Creative Classroom Core said...

Such a fantastic photo!

Thanks for sharing!

Maria said...

That tart has it all!

mel said...

I had grilled asparagus last night. Your recipe sounds so yummy. I have always wondered what the asparagus plant looks like. Thanks for sharing. Happy OW.

Allie said...

My dad used to grow some asparagus and I thought it was the neatest thing because I never knew how they grew. I wish I had a green thumb. Your tart looks like it's full of flavor and very tempting!

Culinary Wannabe said...

Looks delicious. I'm a huge goat cheese fan. Too bad my husband hates it with a passion. I'll have to save this for when he isn't around.

Lisa said...

That slice is gorgeous! Our farmers' market promises goat cheese this week so I think I'll give it a try.

Unknown said...

mary

you bake such lovely tarts, wish i can learn from you hands-on

Taste of My Life said...

Hi Mary,
Your blog is great!

Anonymous said...

that is incredibly pretty!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

That looks like a little slice of heaven Mary! I would love this for lunch.

Claudia said...

Thanks for the recipe!

Very nice post.

TTFN~~Claudia

ellen b. said...

That picture of the slice of this tart is artwork!! Love it...and I'd love a bite!

Robin said...

That looks GORGEOUS, Mary.

Lyndas recipe box said...

What a beautiful tart... it looks perfect and sounds heavenly!
Love your memories of the hula skirt; priceless.

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

Wow this is a beautiful Asparagus and Goat's Cheese Tart. I'll have to check the Happy Outdoor Wed. Never heard of it.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Helene, I'm thrilled you'll be joining us on a regular basis. Hugs and other good stuff...Mary

Mary Bergfeld said...

ellen b.. I'm so glad you found us. I hope you'll join us often.

NKP said...

I love goat cheese, this looks wonderful. Your tart pan is really pretty too.
I hope to try to make goat cheese one day..

Maya said...

Love asparagus and so far have only grilled them or cooked them in a little bit of olive oil. The tart looks divine. I'd love to try this!

Cindy Khor said...

lovely looking cheese tart, full of vibrant colours and really healthy.

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

The asparagus plants are beautiful. Nothing better than very fresh asparagus and the recipe sounds divine!

Jenn said...

That looks so delicious !!

Karen said...

What a beautiful soft and creamy custard in this tart. It is beautiful and I'm sure delicious!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

That looks delicious! I have a love affair with asparagus as well...I like to eat mine with sour cream! Is that crazy? My grandmother liked it like that and had me try it one time and I was hooked! I also like to pick it right off the plant and take a bite...it is so good.

Kristine

Maria Berg said...

I do not know if I like goat chess but you wrote a very nice text and lovely photo so I Want to eat it again.

My husband just made some bread, just out from the oven so now I have to go down and eat.
Maybe I will try to take a good photo of them first.

/MB

WNC Mountain Living said...

That looks and sounds wonderful! Will have to try the recipe!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

I'm back...what is something yummy that I can do with a pork roast? I will search your blog and see if you have a recipe I can try!

Your blog is delicious! :)

Kristine

g.suzie said...

I love asparagus too, it grows wild along the ditchbanks on our farm. And just wanted to let you know Wall Drug is still goin strong, we stopped for icecream and a few souvenirs. They started years ago pre/car/air, advertising free ice water, and it was the best marketing tool ever!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Kristine, I've sent you an email. Any of the potato dihes here would be wonderful.

flmom said...

The tart looks amazing! I'm a huge fan of asparagus, but we can't grow it in our climate.

Katy ~ said...

Mary, your photo of your delicious tart says it all! Perfect.

The Stylish House said...

Hi Mary,
My husband is going to be so happy I discovered you blog! Your recipes are fabulous. I can hardly wait to take a look at your older posts and start whipping up some kitchen magic.
Cathy

The Blonde Duck said...

That's such a pretty tart!

Anonymous said...

Mary,
It looks delicious! Mmmmm! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Thanks for stopping by...Happy Outdoor Wednesday...Smile & Hugs..katherinllen

theUngourmet said...

Mary that is lovely! I love the garnish you place in the center.

xinex said...

It looks very good, MAry. I love asparagus!...Christine

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, I wish I could cook something that would turn out looking like that! And it sounds so scrumptious! I've never grown asparagus. Have to give that a try.
Brenda

Glenda/MidSouth said...

That tart looks good - but I am not fond of goat cheese. I need to come back when have more time to check some of your other posts.
Thanks for visiting.
Glenda

Chandy said...

Hi Mary, thanks for stopping by! Yes, the milk glass cake stand was a Freecycle Pick-up. This lady, she just left it on her porch for me to pick up and I can't tell how shocked I was that she let go of something so beautiful!

And, yes feel free to use any tips you like. I actually use them, too or some of them I've already used and just didn't take a picture...

Happy OW!

Chandy said...

Oh, can I use regular cream cheese with that? I'm not a goat cheese fan. ;-)

Mary Bergfeld said...

Chandy, cream cheese by itself would be too much. If you took a 3 ounce pk. of cream cheese and beat it with 1 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan you'd have something workable.

Shellbelle said...

Oh Mary, you are so amazing! I love asparagus, goat cheese and hazelnuts, so you know I'll be making this soon.

Roasted garlic asparagus is a staple at the hut. I have an 85-pound lab/husky who waits by the oven door for his share.

annies home said...

thanks for visiting my blog and my daughter would love the recipe you shared she loves both asparagus and goats milk

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

My husband would really go for this. I just have to print out a recipe and leave it on the counter. In a day or two he prepares it. Sneaky, aren't I?

Joyce said...

Oh my hazelnuts too? I wish I was your neighbor so that I could invite myself over for a slice:)
Joyce

Heather S-G said...

That is a beautiful tart. I'm loving those flavors!

Apartments in Manila said...

This is soo tummy delicious.. :-)

jeanne said...

Mary, your post is terrific. I too think asparagus is a wonderful veggie. When I was a child we too had a victory garden and I hated asparagus. Big smile. I learned to love it though and could eat it everyday. Your goat cheese tart looks soooooo good. I must try making it.

Hugs...Jeanne

Kat said...

This sounds wonderful. I've never seen asparagus as it grows, what a great picture. I've just seen it as I eat it - yum! Kathy

Michelle said...

Mary-Happy Outdoor Wednesday to you! Your photographs are excellent and I just want to jump through the computer to taste everything you make, wow...I can't wait to try this tart. Thank you.

Light and Voices said...

Lovely asparagus photograph. Yesterday for lunch I had an asparagus sandwich on homemade bread. Delicious. Asparagus tart sounds divine!
Joyce M

tapirgal said...

Mary, I think you should come cook at my house! But it's very thoughtful of you to have give the recipe. I might have to try it!

Marta said...

I just had an omelette with asparagus and goat cheese! and I loved it, so I'm sure I'd love your creation as well. It looks elegant and delicate! Thanks for sharing it :)

Phoo-D said...

This looks delightful! Such a nice combination of spring flavors.

Peter M said...

I too just made a fritatta with asparagus...get'e, while you can!

Interesting addition of hazelnuts, I like it.

Sandra said...

Mmm! That looks delicious! I've been eating quite a bit of asparagus lately. It's sooo yummy and good for us!
Blessings,
Sandra

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