SBS Food

www.sbs.com.au/food

Ricotta and asparagus tart

No time to make your own pastry today? Olympic water polo star Tilly Kearns reveals her secret to creating a stunning asparagus tart with ease, using a simple shortcut – a frozen sheet of pastry.

Ricotta and asparagus tart

Credit: Jiwon Kim

  • serves

    6

  • prep

    10 minutes

  • cook

    30 minutes

  • difficulty

    Easy

serves

6

people

preparation

10

minutes

cooking

30

minutes

difficulty

Easy

level

Stream free On Demand

Thumbnail of The Casual Lunch

The Casual Lunch

episode The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 
cooking • 
25m
G
episode The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 
cooking • 
25m
G

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 350 g asparagus spears
  • 1 cup ricotta
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve
  • 2 eggs, divided
  • ½ lemon, finely zested
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the salad
  • 1 head butter lettuce, leaves torn
  • 40 g chives, finely chopped
  • Storebought Greek vinaigrette, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200˚C (fan-forced). Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Lay the defrosted puff pastry onto the prepared tray and use a sharp knife to score a 2.5 cm border around the edge of the pastry. Using a fork, prick the centre of the pastry all over. Bake for 12 minutes, until the pastry is light golden-brown and puffed. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
  3. Trim the asparagus spears, so they are all 18 cm in length. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil and prepare a large bowl of iced water. Once the water is bubbling, blanch the asparagus for 1-2 minutes, then plunge into the ice water. Set aside.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, half the parmesan cheese, 1 egg and the lemon zest and mix well until smooth. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the centre of the pastry within the border edge. Lay the asparagus over the tart.
  5. Crack the remaining egg into a small bowl and beat with a fork, then use a pastry brush to brush the edges of the tart with the egg wash. Drizzle the tart with the olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese.
  6. Bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Sprinkle with a little more parmesan to serve and cut into squares to serve.
  7. To make the salad, combine the lettuce and chives in a large bowl and drizzle with as much dressing as you like. Toss gently to combine. Serve the ricotta and asparagus tart with the salad.

Photography by Jiwon Kim.

Want more from The Cook Up? Stream all the seasons here and for free at 

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

Stream free On Demand

Thumbnail of The Casual Lunch

The Casual Lunch

episode The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 
cooking • 
25m
G
episode The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 
cooking • 
25m
G

Share

SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Cooking and conversation are a bridge to understanding people and their culture. On The Cook Up with Adam Liaw his guests - world renowned chefs, entertainers, sports and social media stars - prepare food, eat, laugh and give us a glimpse into their lives.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow The Cook Up with Adam Liaw Series
Published 13 September 2024 9:54am
By Tilly Kearns
Source: SBS



Share this with family and friends