Asparagus Parmesan Pastry Rolls Recipe Epicuriouscom

PROSCIUTTO ASPARAGUS SPIRALS

Steps:

• 1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Unfold the pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Spread 3 tablespoons cheese on each pastry sheet. Top each with 4 slices prosciutto. Cut each into 15 strips crosswise, making 30 in all.
• 2. 2.Tightly wrap 1 pastry strip around each asparagus spear, prosciutto-side in. Place the pastries seam-side down onto 2 baking sheets.
• 3. Bake for 15 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown.

ASPARAGUS ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• Snap off tough ends of asparagus and discard.
• In a micro-wave proof casserole dish, place asparagus in a single layer, with spears facing the centre.
• Add 2 tablespoons of water and microwave on HIGH (full power) for 4 minutes turning once at half time; DO NOT OVERCOOK.
• Remove from microwave, drain and immediately pour cold water over asparagus and place a few ice cubes to cool and stop any further cooking.
• Drain well and pat dry with paper towelling before using.
• Cut off the crust from the bread slices and discard.
• Using a roller, carefully roll each slice to flatten to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Spread butter on one side on each piece of flattened bread.
• Then spread some mayonnaise over the butter.
• Place 3 asparagus spears to one side of the flattened bread (facing opposite direcions to each other).
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
• Carefully roll bread/asparagus.
• Cut each roll to about 1/2 inch thick slices.
• Place on a platter and serve.
• Refrigerate any unused portions.

ASPARAGUS ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and boil for 3 minutes. Drain and immediately place asparagus in ice water. Drain and pat dry. Set aside., Flatten bread with a rolling pin. Combine the cream cheese, bacon and chives; spread 1 tablespoonful on each slice of bread. Top with an asparagus spear. Roll up tightly; place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Brush with butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. , Cut roll-ups in half. Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

GLAZED COOKED AND RAW ASPARAGUS WITH BUTTER AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• To cook the asparagus: Using kitchen string, tie the asparagus spears together in bunches of five. Bring a large pot of water, with the salt, to a rapid boil. Plunge in the asparagus bunches and cook until the tip of a knife can pierce a stalk without resistance, about 4 minutes. Remove the asparagus and pat the bunches dry, then carefully untie the strings.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in each of two large skillets over medium heat (if you have just one large frying pan, cook in two batches). When the butter is white and bubbly, lay the asparagus in the pans in a single layer. Roll the stalks around so that each gets well covered with butter and cook for 2 minutes or so, until they take on a shiny, "gilded" look. Sprinkle on the Parmesan and remove from the heat.
• To finish the dish: Divide the asparagus among four warmed serving dishes, then scatter the chopped asparagus tips over the cooked asparagus. Sprinkle a pinch of freshly ground pepper over each serving, then drizzle 1 teaspoon of chilled olive oil in a thin filament around the edge of each plate. Serve immediately.
• Variations: Instead of drizzling olive oil onto the serving plates, substitute a thin filament of highly reduced pan drippings from a roast, punctuated around each plate by 6 tiny Niçoise olives. Or garnish each plate with 4 fresh morel mushrooms that have been sautéed in butter with minced shallots.

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.

ASPARAGUS WRAPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Mix butter, seasoning blend and garlic salt. Unfold puff pastry sheets onto a lightly floured surface. Spread each with 1-1/2 tablespoons butter mixture and sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Top with prosciutto, pressing lightly to adhere., Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut each sheet into 12 strips (about 1/2 in. thick). Wrap each strip, filling side in, around an asparagus spear; place on parchment-lined baking sheets., Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.