ASPARAGUS TART

Asparagus Tart image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 All Ready Pie Crust (half of 15-ounce package), room temperature
1 teaspoon all purpose flour
14 ounces asparagus, each spear trimmed 3 inches long
2/3 cup half and half
2 eggs
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

Preheat oven to 450°F. Open crust on work surface. Press out any cracks. Rub with flour. Arrange dough, flour side down, in 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Press dough into pan.
Fold excess dough border over to form double-thick sides. Pierce dough all over with fork. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Cool on rack. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
Cook asparagus in pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain well. Place on paper towels. Mix half and half, eggs, cheese, tarragon and salt in bowl. Season with pepper. Arrange asparagus in spoke-of-wheel fashion in crust, tips toward edge and ends meeting in center. Pour custard over. Bake until tart puffs and top browns, about 35 minutes. Cool slightly.