🌱🧀🍽️ Asparagus, Horseradish, and Parmesan Tart 🌱🧀🍽️
History: The Asparagus, Horseradish, and Parmesan Tart is a delightful dish that beautifully combines the earthy flavor of asparagus with the pungent kick of horseradish, all nestled in a bed of creamy Parmesan custard. This tart is a fusion of flavors and textures, a dish that brings out the best of each ingredient, making it a crowd-pleaser at brunches, picnics, or as an elegant appetizer. Its exact historical origins are less clear, but tarts like these have been a part of European cuisine for centuries.
Components:
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Asparagus: The star of this dish, fresh asparagus provides a crisp, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor. Choose young and tender asparagus for the best results.
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Horseradish: Prepared horseradish adds a bold, spicy kick to the tart, cutting through the richness of the custard and complementing the asparagus.
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Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese contributes a savory, nutty flavor and helps thicken the custard.
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Tart Crust: You can use a store-bought pie crust or make your own from scratch using flour, butter, and a pinch of salt.
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Eggs: Eggs are used to create the custard that binds all the ingredients together.
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Cream or Milk: Cream or milk is combined with the eggs to create the custard’s creamy texture.
Preparation:
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Prepare the Tart Crust:
- Roll out the pie crust and line a tart pan.
- Preheat your oven according to the instructions in the tart crust recipe.
- Bake the crust blind (using weights to keep it flat) until it’s lightly golden.
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Prepare the Asparagus:
- Trim the tough ends of the asparagus spears.
- Blanch the asparagus by boiling them briefly, then immediately plunging them into ice water to stop the cooking process.
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Prepare the Custard:
- Whisk together eggs, cream or milk, grated Parmesan, horseradish, and season with salt and pepper.
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Assemble:
- Spread a layer of custard onto the pre-baked tart crust.
- Arrange the blanched asparagus on top of the custard.
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Bake:
- Pour the remaining custard over the asparagus.
- Bake the tart in the preheated oven until the custard is set, and the top is golden brown.
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Serve:
- Once done, let the tart cool slightly before slicing.
- Serve it warm or at room temperature.
Time Needed: The total time to prepare the Asparagus, Horseradish, and Parmesan Tart can vary, but it typically takes around 1 hour from start to finish. This includes preparation, cooking, and cooling time. The actual time may differ based on your experience with cooking and the specific recipe you’re following.
This delicious tart is a wonderful combination of flavors and textures that will delight your taste buds. Enjoy! 🍽️😋🌱🧀
Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for the Asparagus, Horseradish, and Parmesan Tart:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values for 1 serving, assuming 8 servings per tart):
- Calories: About 250-300 calories per serving.
- Protein: Around 10-15 grams.
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 15-20 grams.
- Dietary Fiber: 2-3 grams.
- Sugars: 1-2 grams.
- Fat: Approximately 15-20 grams.
- Saturated Fat: 5-8 grams.
- Cholesterol: About 100-120 mg.
- Sodium: 400-500 mg.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Asparagus is a good source of vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as folate and various B vitamins. It’s also rich in minerals like potassium and contains some iron.
Health Information:
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Asparagus: Asparagus is a low-calorie vegetable that’s rich in fiber, which can support digestive health. It’s a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K for bone health and vitamin A for skin and eye health. Asparagus is also known for its antioxidants, which can help combat oxidative stress.
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Horseradish: Horseradish is low in calories and adds a flavorful kick to the dish. It’s a source of glucosinolates, which are compounds that have potential cancer-fighting properties. However, it’s usually used in small quantities due to its strong taste.
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Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese contributes protein and calcium to the dish. Calcium is essential for bone health. However, it’s also high in saturated fat and sodium, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation.
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Tart Crust: The tart crust is typically made with flour and butter, so it contains some carbohydrates and fats. The exact nutritional content can vary depending on the type of crust used.
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Eggs: Eggs are a good source of high-quality protein and various essential nutrients. They provide essential amino acids and are rich in vitamin B12 and choline, which are important for brain health.
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Cream or Milk: The type and quantity of cream or milk used in the custard will impact the calorie and fat content of the dish. They provide calcium and some protein.
In moderation, this tart can be part of a balanced diet. However, due to its buttery crust and cheese, it’s relatively high in saturated fat and should be enjoyed as an occasional treat. The asparagus adds a healthy touch, providing vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Be mindful of portion sizes to balance the indulgence with the nutritional benefits.
