Asparagus. Basil. Cream cheese. I call this the ABC tart! Not really, because I just thought of it. But I should, because it’s totally fitting – this asparagus cream cheese tart is definitely as easy as ABC, 123.
You mix together a simple cream cheese base, and spread it on a golden-brown puff pastry crust. Then you top it with lightly blanched asparagus and touch of salt. And then you bake it for a few minutes. And that’s it! Unless you want to add bacon, in which case, crumble some cooked bacon on top, and then that’s it.
Either way, it’s heaven on a tart crust. Super duper easy heaven on a tart crust.
I love this tart for Easter, because not only does it work for any meal from breakfast to brunch to lunch to snack to supper, but the simple preparation helps free you up for family fun time. Like hiding plastic Easter eggs – and finding one or two from last year while you’re at it. Or picking strands of green plastic grass out of the dog’s hair. Or … well, you know what I’m getting at.
Our family actually keeps Easter pretty exciting. My parents devise a grand adult Easter egg hunt, and each year tops the last. This year’s competition includes an egg roll event and archery. Archery! I’m not even kidding! I so totally can’t wait. We’re dorks.
I’m thinking this asparagus tart will be my contribution to the family meal, because then I can spend my time practicing for the big event instead of slaving in the kitchen. And if I told you that I have been seriously considering practicing egg rolling in our driveway in preparation for the big day, I would not be lying.
Howdy, neighbors. Don’t mind me.
Anyway, a little more about the tart. The crust is made from store-bought puff pastry – easy! The tangy-creamy base, compliments of cream cheese (I go for Neufchâtel to save a bit on fat/calories), amps up the flavor along with a little onion, garlic, and basil stirred in for good measure. And then those glorious, plump, verdant stalks of asparagus, all in a row.
Simple, easy, good springtime fare. ABC, 123.
Asparagus, Basil, & Cream Cheese Tart with Optional Bacon
Ingredients
If adding bacon:
Instructions