1sheet store-bought puff pastry, round or rectangle
a small bunch of asparagus, trimmed
250gfresh ricotta cheese, approx 1 US cup
4tablespoonParmesan cheese
2eggs
zest of 1 lemon
sea salt and black pepper
3Parma ham slices, optional
Instructions
Fill a large bowl with cold water and set it aside. In a wide skillet, bring about an inch of water to a gentle boil. Add the asparagus and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how thick they are, until they turn bright green and are just tender. Drain them and transfer them into the ice water to stop the cooking. Once cooled, drain again and gently pat dry with a clean towel.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (360°F) with the fan on. If your oven doesn’t have a fan, set it to 200°C (390°F) instead. Line a baking tray or tart pan with parchment paper.
Roll out the puff pastry sheet directly onto the lined tray/tart pan. Prick the surface all over with a fork—this keeps it from puffing up too much as it bakes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, half of the lemon zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper until creamy and well combined.
Spoon the ricotta mixture over the pastry and spread it out evenly. Arrange the asparagus over the top. If using, roll the parma ham slices to resemble roses, and arrange them over the top of a few of the asparagus tips.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the filling is slightly puffed and the pastry edges are golden and crisp. Grate a little lemon zest over the tart just before serving for a fresh, zesty touch. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
To make your homemade puff pastry 100% vegetarian, substitute butter with vegan butter. If using store-bought version, buy a vegetarian-friendly alternative.
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The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.