Asparagus Spinach Torte Recipes

ITALIAN VEGETABLE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
• Rub an 8" springform pan with butter and dust with about 1 Tbs of the Parmesan cheese.
• Remove the woody ends of the asparagus (hold each spear at both ends and bend it gently- it will snap at its natural breaking point).
• Peel off the outer layer of the stems.
• Then cut the asparagus into 1" segments.
• Cook the asparagus stems for 2 minutes in a saucepan of simmering water; then add the tips and cook for 1 minute.
• Drain the asparagus and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil to medium-low in a 10" frypan and cook the onion until soft.
• Increase the heat to medium and add the zucchini.
• Cook until the zucchini is soft and golden brown, stirring occasionally.
• Then add the garlic and cook for more 1 minute.
• Finally, add the spinach, mix it in, and cook until it is just wilted.
• Take the frypan off the heat, add the asparagus and the basil, mix in, and season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Set aside to cool.
• Mix together the ricotta, mascarpone, eggs, and 1/2 cup Parmesan.
• Add the cheese and egg mixture to the cooled vegetables.
• Mix well and taste for seasoning.
• Grind some sea salt and black pepper to taste.
• Spoon the mixture into the springform pan and scatter with the remaining Parmesan over the top.
• Place in the oven on a baking sheet to catch any drips, and cook for 30 minutes.
• The top should be light golden brown and the mixture still slightly wobbly in the center.
• Let the torte cool for 30 minutes.
• Then put it in the refrigerator for about 3 hours, until the torte has set.
• Serve with a leaf salad.

ASPARAGUS TORTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven 375 degrees.
• Oil bottom and sides of 8x8x2 pan with 2 Tbsp olive oil.
• Cook asparagus until tender & let cool.
• Cut asparagus into small pieces.
• Beat eggs with 1 Tbsp olive oil, add asparagus, salt & pepper, mix well.
• Pour into prepared pan & drizzle a little olive oil on top.
• Bake approximately 45 minute.
• Should be nice & brown, Cool & cut into squares to serve.

SPINACH AND ASPARAGUS QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• To prepare the pie shell, on a clean, lightly floured work surface, roll out half a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it forms a 10-inch circle. Wrap the remaining half of the dough tightly in plastic wrap and reserve it in the refrigerator for future use for up to 5 days. Fold the circle in half, place it in a 9-inch pie plate so that the edges of the circle drop over the rim, and unfold the dough to completely cover the pie plate. Brush the edges of the pie shell with heavy cream to create a perfect, golden brown finish. Keep the pie shell close by, as you will add ingredients one at a time.
• To prepare the filling, place the asparagus pieces in a medium steamer, and allow them to steam until the asparagus is tender but still slightly firm, about 5 minutes. Place the asparagus in a colander, removing all excess water. Then set the asparagus to the side.
• Wash and clean the spinach well. Place it in a medium steamer with very little water, just enough to cover the bottom of the pot. Place the pot over low heat and steam the spinach gently or until the spinach is bright green and limp, approximately 5 minutes. Drain the cooked spinach in a colander to remove all excess water. Once drained, set the spinach to the side.
• Melt the butter in a medium skillet over high heat. Add the onions and sauté until they achieve a golden brown color, approximately 5 minutes. Spread the onions across the bottom of the pie shell.
• Evenly distribute a layer of asparagus over the onions. Add a layer of spinach over the asparagus, and top the spinach with a layer of Swiss cheese.
• In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, combine the eggs, half-and-half, salt, and pepper. Pour the egg mixture into the pie shell, covering the onions, asparagus, spinach, and Swiss cheese.
• To bake, place the pie plate on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350°F and continue baking for 40 minutes, or until the quiche is firm in the middle. Transfer the pie plate to a wire cooling rack and allow the quiche to cool and set for at least 10 minutes before serving.
• Cooked Spinach and Asparagus Quiche can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. An uncooked quiche can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To optimally keep quiche, put it in the freezer uncovered and let it freeze on a flat surface. Once the quiche has frozen, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and return it to the freezer.

ASPARAGUS GRUYERE TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a 16-by-10-inch rectangle. Trim uneven edges. Place pastry on a baking sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score pastry dough 1 inch in from the edges to mark a rectangle. Using a fork, pierce dough inside the markings at 1/2-inch intervals. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
• Remove pastry shell from oven, and sprinkle with Gruyere. Trim the bottoms of the asparagus spears to fit crosswise inside the tart shell; arrange in a single layer over Gruyere, alternating ends and tips. Brush with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until spears are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

ASPARAGUS AND CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in a large skillet. Add the asparagus; cook until bright green and crisp-tender, 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus. Drain and transfer to the ice water to stop the cooking; drain and pat dry. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Roll out the puff pastry into a 10-by-16-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and prick all over with a fork. Bake until light golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool slightly on the baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, mix the fontina, comte, shallot, egg yolks, milk, nutmeg and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a bowl until combined. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the puff pastry, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Toss the asparagus with the olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Arrange the asparagus on the tart and bake until the cheese mixture is slightly puffy, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the lemon zest. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SPINACH AND ASPARAGUS QUICHE

Steps:

• For the batter:
• In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the sour cream and the salt. Add the half-and-half, eggs, pepper, and nutmeg.
• For the crust:
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place a pie tin on top of the pie crust and turn the crust upside down. Place this inverted pie crust in the oven to bake for approximately 10 minutes or until edges begin to lightly brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
• To assemble:
• Mix the filling ingredients together. Fill the blind baked pie shell with the filling. Slowly pour some of the batter over the top of the filling, being careful not to have the batter flow over the edges of the crust. Bake for 45 minutes until puffed and browned.