Somehow the end of March sneaked up on me while I wasn’t looking! I have been very aware of the trees leafing out, the tulips starting to bloom, daylight savings time of course, but the actual dates…not so much.
March was a very busy month for food styling with many photo shoots that needed a lot of my attention as well as a few garden renovation projects that have been taking up the remainder of my time. This morning I realized there is only one more day in March. I felt happy as this is a week I can stay home for a few days, and a little sad as it is all moving by so quickly. Alas such is life! Is that not April I see on the near horizon?
I made this Spring Leeks & Asparagus Tarts recipe a couple of years ago for a dinner party. Perfect for an Easter brunch or lunch. Enjoy.
Small leeks just pulled from the garden…
….thin, tender asparagus, shallots chopped & caramelized……
…crispy bacon crumbled.
Flaky buttery pie crusts with just a bit of cornmeal to add some crunch. I just love these rectangle tart pans with fluted edges & removable bottoms.
Varicolored eggs…perfect for Easter.
A scattering of chopped leeks over the crusts, topped with a parmesan-egg mix….
…caramelized shallots ….
…decoratively arranged asparagus…one tart with bacon, one without.
Puffy, warm and ready to eat.
Spring Leek & Asparagus Tarts
Ingredients:
- For 2 crusts: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup yellow cornmeal.1 tsp salt, 1 cup cold butter cut into small pieces & ice water
- 6-8 small Spring leeks (or 2 regular size leeks), trimmed & sliced
- 1/2 lb thin asparagus spears
- 8 eggs
- 7 slices bacon cooked crisp & chopped
- 2 shallots, chopped & sautéed until caramelized
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a food processor place the flour, cornmeal & salt & pulse a few times. Add butter pieces & pulse until mixture is crumbly looking. With processor running drizzle in ice water until a dough ball forms. Remove dough & divide in half forming two balls. Flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic & chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Roll out dough and fit into two rectangle tart pans with removable bottoms, trimming edges, or 2 pie pans.
- In a mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, yogurt & salt & black pepper until well blended. Set aside.
- Evenly scatter the sliced leeks over the bottom of each tart shell and ladle the egg mixture over the top.
- Sprinkle the top of each tart with caramelized shallots & chopped bacon. I added the bacon to one tart and made the other vegetarian.
- Decoratively place the asparagus spears over the tops of each tart gently pressing into the filling.
- Place filled tart pans on a baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes or until they are golden brown and puffy. Remove to cool a few minutes before serving on a wire rack. Serve hot or at room temp.
I love asparagus, and oh my does this look scrumptious! I must try it. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
delicious 🙂
What a lovely looking dish. I love all the shots of the ingredients too – your leeks are amazing!
I can’t believe April’s nearly here either. Someone told me Easter was in less than a week and I couldn’t believe it. It should be at least another month away!
These look soooo good Teresa. Perfect to welcome spring. I can’t think of white asparagus without longing for your deep dish homage to Elizabeth quiche. I bet these are equally delicious.
These tarts are gorgeous! Perfect for spring. 🙂
Wow, and wow again Teresa!! How absolutely gorgeous and spring like. I love that rectangular pie pan. Did you really use 8 eggs? :). Just a great combination of leeks and asparagus, it shouts spring all over! Just beautiful!
Beautiful photos, beautiful tart and I love the rectangular tart pan. I also remember your touching post about your white asparagus quiche and Elizabeth. It reminds mr of my mom who passed away at Christmas.
They look delicious
Looks fantastic, love the accompanying photography!
YUM!!!!! Easter with PRB, Farm fresh eggs (need some, call me) and Teresa! Thanks!!!
Thanks April….I always need farm fresh eggs! Love the shallots Bill dropped over. I hope you found my Polenta Pear Bread?
Looks delicious! Love that you made one with bacon and one without—keeps everyone happy 🙂 We might try for Easter brunch. Thanks!
Thanks and if you give it a try then let me know how they turn out. Happy Easter to y’all.
Yummy!
Ah, spring…
mercy don’t we feel grateful for spring, and all the new green things! love the long rectangle tart pan, and the crisscross of asparagus spears.
Looks ridiculously beautiful and utterly delicious! Happy Easter, Teresa; I hope you have some down time coming your way x
Reblogged this on susamaimily.
MUST try this!