Asparagus & Cheddar Tart Recipe

by | May 26, 2023 | Featured Business, Features, Food and Drink, People, SE Magazines

There are many reasons to celebrate this time of year, feeling Spring is in the air, the blossom appearing, the sun shining, and best of all – the arrival of English Asparagus! This superfood is absolutely one of my favourite things, there are so many creative ways to cook with it, and it is packed with antioxidants, may help to lower blood pressure and fight cancer and even boost your brain!  Here is one of the many ways in which I cook with it; 

Asparagus & Cheddar Tart  

Serves approximately: 4 People  

Preparation time: 30 Minutes  

Cooking time 30 Minutes  

Ingredients 

Pastry 

  • 140g Plain flour 
  • 85g Butter Cubed 
  • 100g Cheddar 
  • Pinch Cayenne Pepper 

Filling 

  • 5 eggs 
  • 175ml Milk 
  • 125g Cheddar 
  • 25g Parmesan 
  • 300g Asparagus 
  • Truffle Oil (to finish)  

 Method: 

  1. Put the flour in a bowl, add the butter to the flour and rub in with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the grated cheddar and Cayenne into the pastry and mix. Add 3 tbsp cold water and mix until the pastry forms a ball. Wrap in cling film and chill for 5 mins. Butter a 20 x 6cm deep loose-bottom tart tin, or a 35 x 12cm rectangular tart tin. 
  1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Lightly dust the work surface with flour, roll out the pastry and line the tin. Chill in the freezer for 20 mins, then line the pastry case with baking paper, fill with beans and cook for 15 mins. Remove the beans and paper, then return the pastry case to the oven for 10 mins. 
  1. Crack the eggs into a jug, whisk, then add the milk and whisk again. Sprinkle half the grated cheese over the pastry case, then add the asparagus, egg mix and remaining cheese (if using a rectangular tin, you may not need all the mixture, so add it gradually). Bake in the lower half of the oven for 30-35 mins or until the egg mix is set.  Drizzle with truffle oil before serving. 

In Season this month 

Fruits & Nuts 
Cherries, Elderflowers, Rhubarb 
Vegetables & Herbs 
Asparagus, Broccoli, Carrots, Lettuce, New Potatoes, Radishes, Rocket, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onions, Watercress 
Meat & Game 
Lamb, Wood Pigeon 
Fish & Shellfish 
Cod, Crab, Dover Sole, Halibut, John Dory, Lemon Sole, Plaice, Salmon, Sea Bass, Sea Trout 

Going out of season 
Morel Mushrooms