Prepared with a homemade tart crust, this French classic recipe for Asparagus Tart is a fantastic option to serve for breakfast or brunch.
Lovers of pastries know how fulfilling and enjoyable a well-made tart is. However, have you tasted asparagus tart?
This crusty pastry combines the goodness and the healthiness of asparagus with the homemade nature of tarts, resulting in an irresistible snack that fits well as a breakfast option, brunch, an appetizer or a family snack.
Origin of the Asparagus Tart
Asparagus tart is one of the numerous types of tarts. However, tarts themselves have a rich history.
The pastry form started in France, and this becomes evident when you understand that the French word “Tarte” which translates to pie, is the root word for tarts.
The process of making tarts originated from the medieval tradition of food layering. It could also be attributed to the process of making pies at the time.
Nonetheless, the first tart was made around 1550 and was associated with royalty and the affluent part of the society at the time.
It was the royal and noble version of pies that had existed 200 years earlier and is more popular with the commoners.
One of the distinguishing features of tarts at the time was the use of meat fillings in the tarts. As time went on, the use of custards and fruits as fillings also became rampant.
One of the earliest forms of tarts was the Italian Crostata which was also known as the Open Fruit Tart.
Key & Optional Ingredients To Use
Parmesan Cheese (Optional)
Parmesan cheese (optional) is an Italian type of cheese that is made from cow milk.
The cheese adds a nice flavor to the tart and is best used as freshly grated cheese. This is because it melts better than the pre-grated type.
Other substitutes for parmesan cheese include gruyere cheese or fontina. Both of these cheese types work perfectly well with asparagus and other ingredients.
Asparagus
The asparagus itself also makes the ingredient for the asparagus tart. The vegetable needs to be trimmed and the tough ends removed.
To do this, you need to grab the asparagus stalk at both ends and bend the stalk. It will break at one end and this provides the perfect spot for trimming the vegetable.
Ingredients Used In The Asparagus Tart & Cooking Method
Tart is one of the most common dishes in French Cuisine. There are sweet and savory variations.
Asparagus is known to commonly grow in Mediterranean coasts, in Turkey, Italy, France (especially Bretagne) and Spain.
There are different kind of asparagus but most common and commercialized version is Green Asparagus.
Asparagus is very healthy for liver health. It supports to clean the blood and it contains many vitamins and minerals.
It will be good appetizer for your special days!
Listed below are the ingredients that’s included in this delicious French tart recipe. The full recipe with the exact measurement is listed below in the recipe card.
Homemade Crust (Pate Brisée):
For the homemade tart crust, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Eggs: Used to bind the ingredients together
Flour: For this, we used all-purpose flour. You can also use gluten free flour.
Water: Used for moisture and will make it easy to mix.
Butter: We used unsalted butter. The butter will provide a thin crusty layer to the tart.
Filling:
For the filling, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Eggs: Used to bind the ingredients together
Heavy Cream: To provide richness to the tart.
Salt, nutmeg, and Ground Pepper: Used to season the tart.
Deli Beef: For this recipe, we use the roast deli beef.
Cooking Method:
To prepare the homemade tart, in a stand mixer with using palette, combine all the ingredients for 10 minutes.
Roll out the dough in a metal tart mold then blind bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Then remove the pastry, use a fork to punch a few holes and return to the oven to bake (without the pie weights) for an additional 5 minutes.
For the asparagus, cut the woody ends then blanch for about 45 seconds and immediately transfer them to an ice bath. Slicing the asparagus is optional.
Next, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, salt, ground pepper, and nutmeg.
Pour the egg mixture in the pie, then add the blanched asparagus and topped with roasted deli beef.
Bake for 25 minutes and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How to Store the Asparagus Tart
Asparagus tart can be stored for some time after baking as with other foods and dishes. However, it is important to state that the Asparagus Tart is best eaten fresh.
The snack can stay fresh for a day without any special storage method. All you have to do is keep it at room temperature.
However, if you are looking to keep it for more than a day, you need to refrigerate the asparagus tart.
This method keeps the tart fresh for about 4 days. You can also freeze the asparagus tart for months if need be.
You can reheat the snack after the freezing or refrigerating. The ideal temperature for reheating is 300F in a preheated oven.
The reheating duration is about 10 minutes or 5 minutes if you use an air fryer.
More French Recipes To Enjoy
For more delicious classic French recipes, we recommend you try the following recipes below.
Bouillabaisse (French Fish Stew)
Easy French Mousse Au Chocolat
More French Recipes To Enjoy
For more asparagus recipes, we recommend you try this air fryer asparagus and this vegan asparagus salad with cranberry vinaigrette.
It warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from this site, and we’d especially would love to know if you tried this recipe.
Tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.
Also, we would appreciate if could give it a star rating below!
Asparagus Tart Recipe
Equipment
- Tart pan
Ingredients
Homemade Crust
- 1 ½ Cup All-Purpose Flour
- ½ Cup Unsalted Butter
- ½ Tsp. Salt We used kosher salt
- 1 Egg
- 3 Tbsp. Water
Tart Filling
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt
- ½ Tsp. Ground Black Pepper
- ¼ Tsp. Nutmeg
- 4 Large Fresh Asparagus
- ½ Cup Roast Deli Beef
Instructions
- To prepare the homemade tart, in a stand mixer with using palette, combine all the ingredients for 10 minutes. Roll out the dough in a metal tart mold then blind bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Then remove the pastry, use a fork to punch a few holes and return to the oven to bake (without the pie weights) for an additional 5 minutes. For the asparagus, cut the woody ends then blanch for about 45 seconds and immediately transfer them to an ice bath. Slicing the asparagus is optional.
- Next, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, salt, ground pepper, and nutmeg. Pour the egg mixture in the pie, then add the blanched asparagus and topped with roasted deli beef.Bake for 25 minutes and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Chef Mireille says
This was a crowd-pleaser…..served it for breakfast and everyone love it. Ended up adding some cheese on top.
Mirlene says
Thank you so much.
Beth says
I loved learning a little history around pies! This one is delicious and in under an hour, ready to be gobbled up by my family!
Kris says
This was positively delicious! The crust was perfectly buttery and the filling was so satisfying. Can’t wait to make again! Thank you. 🙂
Mirlene says
Thank you, Kris.
Tara says
Such a gorgeous tart! It looks amazing with the asparagus and the flaky, buttery crust.
kushigalu says
Love how beautiful and delicious this asparagus tart is. Thanks for sharing
April says
This is delicious, I added parm cheese and it just elevated the flavor even more. Loved it!
Mirlene says
Thank you, April!