Asparagus Croustade Recipes

ASPARAGUS CROUSTADE

Steps:

• Place water in a medium bowl and sprinkle in yeast and sugar.
• Stir until dissolved and let stand for 10 minutes or until foamy.
• Add yeast mixture, egg, salt, flour and butter into food processor.
• Process until dough forms into a ball (Dough should be soft but not sticky). Add more flour if the dough seems sticky.
• Place dough in a clean, lightly oiled bowl, and cover with a tea towel.
• Put in a warm place for 20 minutes or until dough has relaxed
• and is slightly puffy.
• Preheat oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
• Bring a skillet of water to boil on high heat.
• Add asparagus and boil for 2 minutes.
• Drain and rinse well with cold water until cool.
• Heat butter in pot over medium heat.
• Add flour and stir together until incorporated.
• Pour in milk and cream, slowly whisking to incorporate. Bring to boil whisking until thickened.
• Season well with salt and pepper and stir in parsley. Reserve.
• Punch down dough and roll out into an approximately 10 x 14-inch rectangle and place on a baking sheet.
• Brush sauce over base, leaving a 2-inch (5-cm) border.
• Top with asparagus and cover with cheese.
• Brush edges with water and fold over to form a crimped edge.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until dough is browned underneath and cooked through and filling is hot.

TUSCAN-STYLE ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place the asparagus, tomatoes and pine nuts on a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Mix 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, salt and pepper; add to asparagus and toss to coat. , Bake 15-20 minutes or just until asparagus is tender. Drizzle with remaining oil and the lemon juice; sprinkle with cheese and lemon aest. Toss to combine.

ASPARAGUS CROSTINI

Steps:

• For an easy party snack, spread fresh ricotta on toasted baguette slices, then top with thinly sliced asparagus. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil or truffle oil.

GOAT CHEESE AND ASPARAGUS CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat and preheat the broiler.
• Drizzle the asparagus with some of the olive oil. Toss to coat and then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on the grill pan and cook until tender and grill marks form, 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the asparagus. Remove, let cool slightly and cut into 2- to 3-inch pieces, about the size of the bread.
• Brush the bread on both sides generously with oil and place on a baking sheet. Rub the garlic all over one side of each slice. Broil until golden and crispy, 2 minutes per side. Remove and let cool slightly.
• Slather some of the goat cheese on the garlicky side of each piece of bread, then top each with 2 to 3 pieces of the grilled asparagus and a few of the cherry tomatoes. Return to the oven just until the cheese is melted and warmed, about 2 minutes.