Recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Tart

recipelink.com Chat Room Recipe Swap – 2000-12-11
From:calliope,.NY

ASPARAGUS GOAT CHEESE TART WITH TARRAGON

a 1/2-pound frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed
1 bunch scallions (white and pale green parts only), sliced thin (about 3/4 cup)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1/4-inch-thick slices, reserving tips
3 large eggs
a 3 1/2-ounce log soft mild goat cheese such as Montrachet
...or you can use CREAM CHEESE with additional herbs like:
thyme, sage, parsley, chervil, dill...whatever you like with asparagus!
1 cup milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves or 3/4 teaspoon
dried, crumbled

On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry into a 16-inch square and fit into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable fluted rim. Roll a rolling pin over top of tart to trim pastry flush with top of rim. Chill pastry shell while making filling.

Preheat oven to 425F. with a baking sheet on lowest rack.

In a small skillet, cook scallions in butter with salt to taste over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute, and cool.

In a steamer set over boiling water, arrange asparagus slices and top with reserved tips. Steam asparagus, covered, until crisp-tender, about 2 to 3 minutes, and drain well, reserving tips separately.

In a blender, blend eggs, goat cheese, milk, and salt with pepper to taste. Add tarragon and pulse custard to combine.

Spread scallions and asparagus slices in pastry shell and arrange reserved tips decoratively on top. Pour custard slowly over vegetables.

Bake tart in pan on heated baking sheet in oven 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 375F. and bake tart until set, about 8 minutes. Transfer tart in pan to a rack.

Remove rim of pan and serve tart warm or at room temperature.