Asparagus Parmesan Pastries Recipes

ASPARAGUS AND PARMESAN CREAM PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F; remove pastry dough from freezer and let thaw for 10 minutes.
• While dough is thawing, wash and trim asparagus so it is 1 1/2 inches shorter than width of pastry sheet.
• In medium bowl, combine cream cheese, grated Parmesan, chopped basil leaves and lemon juice; set aside.
• Unfold dough onto a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray; cut into 4 equal rectangles.
• Separate slightly; spread cream cheese mixture onto each of the pastry rectangles, alternating directions, not quite to each edge.
• Press four asparagus spears onto each rectangle, alternating direction.
• Sprinkle pastries with sea salt and drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake for 18-22 minutes until pastries are golden brown.
• Remove from oven, cut each pastry in half and transfer to serving platter.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of shave parmesan cheese and serve.

ASPARAGUS PARMESAN PASTRY ROLLS

Steps:

• Unfold pastry sheets and halve each parallel to fold lines. Roll out 1 half (keep remaining 3 halves chilled, covered with plastic wrap) into a 20- by 7-inch rectangle with a floured rolling pin on a well-floured surface. (Pastry will shrink slightly after rolling.) Brush off excess flour from work surface and both sides of pastry, then trim all edges with a sharp knife to make even. Cut crosswise into 6 (6 1/2- by 3-inch) rectangles.
• Brush rectangles with some egg wash and sprinkle each evenly with 1 packed tablespoon cheese, leaving a 1/2-inch border on long sides. Lay an asparagus stalk along 1 long side, then roll up asparagus in pastry, pressing seam to seal. Make more rolls with remaining pastry, cheese, and asparagus.
• Arrange rolls, seam sides down, about 1 inch apart on lightly oiled baking sheets and brush top and sides lightly with egg wash. Chill rolls until pastry is firm, at least 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Bake rolls in batches in middle of oven until puffed and golden, about 16 minutes.
• Transfer with a metal spatula to a cutting board and trim about 1/2 inch from ends. Halve each roll crosswise, then, starting about 1/2 inch from either end, cut each section diagonally in half (see photo, opposite). Stand asparagus rolls on end, 2 by 2 on platters, and drizzle each with 1 drop of truffle oil (if using). Serve warm.

ASPARAGUS PASTRY PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a large skillet, bring 1-1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cook, uncovered, 1-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove asparagus and immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry., In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper until blended. Unfold puff pastry sheets; cut each sheet in half to make a total of four rectangles. Spread each rectangle with a fourth of the cream cheese mixture to within 1/4 in. of edges. Arrange asparagus over top, allowing tips to show at each end; roll up jelly-roll style. Using a serrated knife, cut each roll crosswise into four sections., Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, seam side down. In a small bowl, whisk egg with water until blended; brush lightly over tops., Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack; serve warm.