Roasted Asparagus, Parmesan and Rosemary Tart

   Even though the weather doesn't feel so much like it right now, I know Spring is here. If for no other reason than this....Asparagus! I love having my own asparagus patch and always look forward to the first harvest of the season. It seems to be doing really well so far this year and I had a bunch in the fridge to use. 
   I almost always take Hubs lunch to the shop if he is working there and today I thought I'd make something for him using the asparagus. A tart was what I had in mind and after combining a few recipes this was the end result.

 

Roasted Asparagus, Parmesan and Rosemary Tart

yield: 1 -9.5 inch tart pan 

Crust:

1 1/2 cups pie & pastry flour

1/4 tsp salt

9 tbsp cold unsalted butter

1 egg yolk

1 tbsp ice water

In the bowl of a stand mixer combine flour and salt. Cut butter into small cubes and add to flour. Beat until mixture resembles course crumbs. Mix together egg yolk and water. Add and mix until combined.

Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper. Turn dough out onto paper and roll until it fits the tart pan. Carefully pick up and place dough into the tart pan. Press it down and then slowly remove parchment paper. Prick with a fork, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or over night.

To prepare, remove from fridge, remove plastic wrap and bake @ 350° for 10 minutes.

Filling:

4 eggs

3/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

2 tbsp chopped green onion

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced

1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

8 stalks of fresh asparagus

Arrange asparagus stalks on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Meanwhile in a bowl combine eggs, milk, salt, pepper & paprika. Whisk well; add onion, rosemary and cheese. Stir to combine. Pour into the baked tart shell. Top with asparagus stalks and bake for 15-20 minutes or until set. 

    As it turned out hubs had to go on a service call over lunch, so I didn't take it to him until later on. G-bug and I shared a slice right away though and it was delicious. 

   I stuck it in the warming drawer then to keep it hot until we took it to the shop. The little monkey found it while I was in another room. Fortunately I caught him before he was able to help himself. =)

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The grass withers and the

flowers fall, but the word of our

God stands forever.  

~Isaiah 40:8

  

Bacon, Avocado and Blue Cheese Quesadilla

   A happy new year to each and everyone of you! So hard for me to believe that it is 2013....where did 2012 go so quickly?!? It was quite an eventful year for us with experiencing the birth of our son and adjusting to the new life of parenthood and purchasing a business with husband's twin brother being the more memorable moments. 
   As I reflect back on the past year I am reminded of God's faithfulness and goodness to us in so many ways. I want to make a more deliberate effort this year to thank Him DAILY for all the ways he blesses us that so often I take for granted and remember no matter what my circumstance may be, there is always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for. So my word for the year is -GRATITUDE-.
   OK on to the post recipe...looking for a quick and easy lunch for one or two? Give these flavorful quesadillas a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Bacon, Avocado and Blue Cheese Quesadilla

4- 8" flour tortillas

sour cream

blue cheese crumbles

8 strips bacon, fried

1 avocado, sliced

fresh cilantro, chopped

mozzarella cheese, grated

Spread sour cream on all 4 tortillas. Sprinkle the blue cheese crumbles on two tortillas. Top with 4 strips of bacon and 1/2 avocado each. Sprinkle a small amount of  chopped fresh cilantro and mozzarella cheese over all. Top with remaining two tortillas. Heat a cast iron skillet with a tsp or so of oil. Place quesadillas in one at a time and fry until golden brown and flip. Continue frying until the other side of the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remove from skillet and cut into wedges. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro.

{Tomato would be wonderful on this as well, but I didn't have one so we went without.} 

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Give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you

in Christ Jesus.

~1 Thessalonians 5:18

♥ Sheila