A Taste of Spring

 

As the snow melts and daylight stretches into the evening, people who like to eat with the seasons know what's coming: asparagus.
Asparagus is a spring vegetable. Take advantage of grocery sales and head to the kitchen for a first taste of spring whenever it arrives in your area.

Wrapped Asparagus Spears In Puff Pastry

Cook’s Notes: 1 puff pastry sheet makes 12 and you will need 6 slices of deli ham cut in half. If using thin spears 2 can be wrapped in puff pastry.

Since I had pastry sheets thawed. I applied the same principle using a shamrock cookie cutter. Cut shamrocks out of pastry sheets. Brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with bagel seasoning or sesame seeds. Bake at 425 for  9 minutes. Imagine the possibilities with so many different cookie cutters! And they're perfect with a bowl of soup or stew.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of asparagus spears with thin stalks
• 6-12 thin slices of deli maple ham
• Soft cheese e.g. Havarti cut ½ x 2 inch pieces 
• Dijon mustard
• 1 box of thawed Puff Pastry sheets makes 24 or 1 sheet makes 12 asparagus puff pastries. 
• Egg wash
• Sesame seeds
• Grated Parmesan cheese or a spice called Garlic Bread Sprinkle

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. 
• Wrap 1-2 asparagus spears with ½ slice maple ham. 
  

• Using a pastry wheel cut the pastry sheet into thirds vertically, then into fourths horizontally making a total of 12 pieces. Brush each pastry sheet with the Dijon mustard. Lay asparagus-wrapped ham spear in the middle of pastry sheet. 
  

• Add a piece of cheese to the asparagus and wrap the asparagus/ham spear in the pastry stretching to make the sides join together. Leave asparagus tips exposed. 
• Place asparagus bundles seam-side down on parchment paper. 
  

• Brush pastry with an egg wash. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese or use a spice; Garlic Bread Sprinkles or Bagel Seasoning. 
• Bake for 14-16 minutes or until puffy and golden brown.
  
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