Celebrate the arrival of spring with a delightful and flavorful treat – the Spring Equinox Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart. In this mouthwatering recipe, the vibrant flavors of fresh asparagus and creamy goat cheese come together to create a perfect harmony. The buttery crust provides a delightful crunch, while the tangy notes from the goat cheese add a burst of flavor. This simple yet sophisticated dish is perfect for a light lunch or as an appetizer for a springtime gathering. Follow the easy step-by-step instructions, and you’ll have a delectable tart that effortlessly captures the essence of the season.

Spring Equinox: Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart

Welcome to the delightful world of cooking! Today, we’ll be making a scrumptious Spring Equinox treat – an Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart. This tart embodies the fresh flavors of the season and will surely impress your family and friends. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, gather our ingredients, and get started on this culinary adventure!

1. Preparing the Tart Crust

1.1 Gather the ingredients

Before we dive into the tart crust, let’s ensure we have all the necessary ingredients at hand. You’ll need:

• 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ½ cup of cold, unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
• 2-3 tablespoons of ice water

1.2 Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Make sure they are well combined.

1.3 Cut in the butter

Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

1.4 Add the wet ingredients

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of ice water over the flour-butter mixture. Gently stir the dough with a fork, gradually adding more ice water if needed, until the dough starts to come together.

1.5 Form the dough

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use your hands to gather the dough into a ball. Do not knead the dough; just gently press it together.

1.6 Chill the dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, resulting in a flaky tart crust.

2. Assembling the Tart

2.1 Blanch the asparagus

To start assembling the tart, let’s blanch the asparagus for a vibrant and tender texture. Here’s what you’ll need for this step:

• Fresh asparagus spears
• Water
• Ice

First, bring a large pot of water to a boil. While the water is heating, trim the tough ends of the asparagus spears.

2.2 Preparing the goat cheese mixture

Next, let’s prepare the creamy and tangy goat cheese mixture. You’ll need the following ingredients:

• 4 ounces of fresh goat cheese
• 2 large eggs
• A pinch of salt
• A pinch of black pepper

In a small bowl, soften the goat cheese by breaking it up with a fork. Add the eggs, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Set the mixture aside for now.

2.3 Roll out the tart crust

Once the dough has chilled, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Dust your work surface with flour and roll out the dough into a circle, about 12 inches in diameter.

2.4 Spread the goat cheese mixture

Carefully transfer the rolled-out tart crust onto a tart pan. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the goat cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the crust.

2.5 Arrange the blanched asparagus

Now, let’s place the blanched asparagus onto the goat cheese mixture. You can arrange them in a neat row or simply scatter them across the tart, depending on your preference. Get creative!

2.6 Bake the tart

Place the assembled tart into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the goat cheese mixture is set. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.

3. Making the Goat Cheese Mixture

3.1 Gather the ingredients

To create the delectable goat cheese mixture for the tart, gather the following ingredients:

• 4 ounces of fresh goat cheese
• 2 large eggs
• A pinch of salt
• A pinch of black pepper

3.2 Soften the goat cheese

In a small bowl, break up the fresh goat cheese with a fork to soften it. You want a creamy consistency for easy mixing.

3.3 Add the eggs

Once the goat cheese is softened, crack in the two large eggs. Be sure to remove any shell remnants.

3.4 Season with salt and pepper

Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper to the goat cheese and egg mixture. This will enhance the flavors and add a lovely touch of seasoning.

3.5 Mix until well combined

Using a fork or whisk, thoroughly mix all the ingredients until the goat cheese, eggs, salt, and pepper are well combined. Your goat cheese mixture is now ready to be spread onto the tart crust.

4. Blanched Asparagus

4.1 Gather the ingredients

To blanch the asparagus, make sure you have the following ingredients at hand:

• Fresh asparagus spears
• Water
• Ice

4.2 Trim the asparagus spears

Before blanching, trim the tough ends of the asparagus spears. These woody ends can be tough to chew and are best removed.

4.3 Prepare an ice bath

Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. This will be used to quickly cool down the asparagus after blanching, preserving its vibrant green color and crispness.

4.4 Boil water in a large pot

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. You want enough water to fully submerge the asparagus spears.

4.5 Blanch the asparagus

Once the water is boiling, carefully add the trimmed asparagus spears to the pot. Let them cook for approximately 2-3 minutes, or until they turn bright green and tender.

4.6 Transfer to the ice bath

Using kitchen tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the blanched asparagus from the pot and immediately transfer them to the ice bath. This will stop the cooking process and help retain their vibrant color.

5. Tart Crust Ingredients

5.1 All-purpose flour

For the tart crust, you’ll need about 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour. This versatile flour gives the crust structure and a tender texture.

5.2 Salt

Don’t forget a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors of the tart crust. It adds a subtle depth to the overall taste.

5.3 Butter

To achieve that flaky and buttery goodness, you’ll need approximately ½ cup of cold, unsalted butter. Cut the butter into small cubes for easier incorporation into the dough.

5.4 Ice water

Ice water is crucial for keeping the butter cold and preventing it from melting into the flour. Use 2-3 tablespoons of ice water, adding it gradually until the dough comes together.

6. Goat Cheese Mixture Ingredients

6.1 Fresh goat cheese

Fresh goat cheese is a luscious and tangy ingredient that beautifully complements the flavors of the asparagus. Measure out 4 ounces for the goat cheese mixture.

6.2 Eggs

Eggs play a crucial role in binding the goat cheese mixture together. You’ll need 2 large eggs for this recipe.

6.3 Salt

Add a pinch of salt to the goat cheese mixture to enhance the flavors and balance the overall taste. Remember, a little goes a long way!

6.4 Black pepper

To add a touch of warmth and a subtle kick, a pinch of black pepper is added to the goat cheese mixture. Customize the amount to suit your taste preference.

7. Blanched Asparagus Ingredients

7.1 Fresh asparagus spears

Fresh, vibrant asparagus spears are the star of this tart. Make sure to choose ones that are firm and free from any blemishes for the best results.

7.2 Water

Water is necessary for boiling the asparagus and blanching it to perfection.

7.3 Ice

Ice is needed to create the ice bath, quickly cooling down the blanched asparagus and preserving its color and texture.

8. Rolling Out the Tart Crust

8.1 Preheat the oven

Before rolling out the tart crust, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will ensure it’s adequately heated when it’s time to bake.

8.2 Dust the work surface

Lightly dust your work surface with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. A lightly floured surface will make it easier to manipulate and roll out the tart crust.

8.3 Roll out the dough

Take the chilled tart dough out of the refrigerator and place it on the floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, gently roll out the dough into a circle, approximately 12 inches in diameter.

8.4 Transfer to a tart pan

Once the tart crust is rolled out, carefully transfer it to a tart pan. Gently press it into the pan, making sure the bottom and sides are evenly covered. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edge if necessary.

9. Baking the Tart

9.1 Preheat the oven

Before baking the tart, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step ensures that the oven is adequately heated before the tart goes in.

9.2 Blind bake the tart crust

To prevent the tart crust from becoming soggy, we’ll blind bake it before adding the goat cheese mixture and asparagus. Line the tart crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. This will keep the crust’s shape while it bakes. Place the tart crust in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes.

9.3 Remove tart crust from the oven

After 15 minutes, carefully remove the tart crust from the oven and take out the parchment paper and weights or beans. Return the empty crust to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes. This step ensures the crust is fully baked, crisp, and golden.

9.4 Spread the goat cheese mixture

Once the tart crust is fully baked, remove it from the oven again. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the prepared goat cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the crust.

9.5 Arrange the blanched asparagus

With the goat cheese mixture in place, it’s time to artfully arrange the blanched asparagus on top. You can create a neat row or let your creativity run wild with a more random arrangement. The choice is yours!

9.6 Bake until golden and set

Place the assembled tart into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the goat cheese mixture is set. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.

10. Garnishing and Serving

10.1 Cool the tart

Once the tart is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will allow the flavors to settle and the tart to set.

10.2 Garnish with fresh herbs

Before serving, garnish the tart with fresh herbs such as parsley or dill to add an extra layer of freshness and visual appeal. Sprinkle the herbs over the tart, allowing their aroma to complement the flavors.

10.3 Slice and serve

Finally, it’s time to slice and serve your delightful Spring Equinox Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart. Serve it as a light lunch or dinner alongside a fresh salad or enjoy it as a flavorful appetizer to share with loved ones. Either way, it’s sure to be a hit!

Congratulations! You’ve successfully embarked on the journey of creating a delicious Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart. We hope you enjoy every flavorful bite and savor the taste of spring. Happy cooking!