Asparagus Puffs are a continuation of my spring appetizer theme, along with Cajun Crab Cakes, and Cucumber Radish Crostini. These tasty little bites are all about spring, and they make a great addition to a brunch or lunch, or, how about a Spring Themed Wine & Appy Party?
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Asparagus Puffs for Spring Entertaining
Asparagus is all about spring, We can't seem to get enough asparagus at this time of year when this veggie it's at its finest. We've been eating a lot of asparagus, in lots of different ways. A great example is this Creamy Asparagus Soup, which only whetted our appetite for more of this delicious springtime veggie.
About Asparagus
Asparagus is a member of the lily family of plants. It's origins have been traced back to 2000 years, where it was, and still is, grown in the Mediterranean. The Asparagus plant grows from crowns, which are one-year-old plants. The crowns, once planted, will take 2-3 years to be productive, but then, they will produce for 20 years. So if you want to grow asparagus, you need to have a lot of patience.
Asparagus Nutrition
Asparagus is a nutrition powerhouse that packs a ton of goodness, like folate, Vitamins K, A, C, as well as potassium, Iron, & Fiber. Vitamin K, an often overlooked vitamin, is found in studies to improve bone health by increasing bone mineral density. Vitamin K is also important to heart health, helping to prevent the hardening of the arteries.
Cooking Asparagus
You can broil, boil, steam, grill, air fry or roast asparagus, and it will be delicious in every way. However, the important thing to remember is to never, ever, overcook it. You should always cook asparagus just to tender-crisp. It doesn't require a long cooking time. If overcooked, asparagus becomes mushy and loses that bright green colour.
Puff Pastry 101
Making Puff Pastry is a laborious process where there are many layers of thin pastry, each layer built with pats of butter between them. Then you roll out the dough, fold it, and leave it to rest, and repeat the whole process six to eight times. Luckily, we can buy puff pastry where someone else has done all this work. I am usually a fan of making everything from scratch, but I draw a line at puff pastry. Look for a frozen puff pastry that uses real butter if possible. Finally, if you really want to make your own puff pastry, you can. Here's how: How To Make Puff Pastry.
While you have the puff pastry unthawed for these asparagus puffs, you may also want to try Mushroom Brie Puffs, too.
Recipe
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Asparagus Puffs
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup asparagus chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup peas fresh or thawed frozen
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
- 2 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Have ready a 24 cavity non stick mini muffin tin, or one sprayed with cooking spray
- Heat oven to 400°
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high.
- Add 1 tablespoon butter, the shallots, garlic, and asparagus. Saute until asparagus is tender crisp, about 3 minutes
- Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, peas, lemon juice and zest, thyme and dill.
- Cut puff pastry sheet into 24 2.5 " squares
- Line each muffin tin cup with a puff pastry square, pressing into the base of each cup.
- Stir the grated Parmesan cheese into the asparagus mixture.
- Evenly divide the asparagus mixture into each cup.
- Bring the four corners of the pastry squares together to cover the filling for each
- Brush tops with melted butter. Bake until puffed and golden about 15 minutes.
- Cool on a rack for 10 minutes before removing the puffs to a platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Esther
I have not worked with puff pastry that much. Can these be made ahead and frozen then thawed and baked or frozen unbaked and thaw and baked. Are they just as good at room temperature.
Colleen
Hi Esther, Yes, you can make these ahead, freeze, and then bake them from frozen. They are just as good at room temperature, but you can also warm them up in a low oven if you prefer.
crackmacs
Asparagus is awesome on it's own, but these look really good too. Yum.
Colleen
I'm with you, asparagus is always awesome on it's own. These are a delicious way to enjoy it for appy bites, though!
Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale
These are so cute and fun. They make the perfect party appetizer. I can't wait to make these for my next dinner party! YUM!
Colleen
Hi Katie! I hope you love them as much as we did. They disappeared fast!
Kavita Favelle
What perfect canapes or snacks! I love asparagus, and it's in season here right now so great to see another idea for how to use it. Love puffed pastry too so this is right up my street.
Colleen
Hi Kavita! Asparagus season doesn't last long so it's great to enjoy it while we can, right? And puff pastry is awesome. ?
Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen
These look like they would be amazing at a spingtime brunch!
Colleen
Hi Ruthy! A springtime brunch, like Mother's Day, is perfect for these delicious bites!
Christy
So pretty and such a fun way to use asparagus this spring!
Colleen
Thanks Christy, these are a delicious way to use spring asparagus, for sure!
Maria
Asparagus is truly a sure sign of spring! Planted asparagus in my backyard over 10 years ago... good to know I have them for another 10 years or so... I better get started on another patch!
Love the name and the look of these asparagus puffs! Thanks for sharing ♥
Colleen
Hi Maria, you are so fortunate to have your own asparagus patch in your backyard! I'm happy to share a new way for you to use it, enjoy! 🙂
Cathy
Wouldn't these pretty little appetizers be perfect for a Mother's Day brunch! It's great to enjoy asparagus in such a variety of ways.
Colleen
Hi Cathy, these little bites are, for sure, perfect for a Mother's Day brunch. We have to take advantage of the short season for asparagus, and these are delicious, and also easy to make, too.
Denise from Urb’n’Spice
I love the idea of using puff pastry for bite size appetizers, Colleen! Your recipe for Asparagus Puffs sounds and looks delicious - perfect for a brunch buffet. I am looking forward to trying them. I cannot get enough asparagus when it is in season - love it! Thanks for the inspiration ?
Colleen
Hi Denise! Puff pastry is just so versatile, and you can make anything delicious when it's enveloped in pastry, right? But asparagus make this appy really special, and perfect for a brunch.
Heather
Do you think I could make these ahead and keep them in the fridge for a few hours before I baked them?
Colleen
Hi Heather. Yes absolutely. As long as they are kept chilled right up to baking time. Enjoy!
Dana
These are just too darn pretty, Colleen! Perfect for a Mother's Day brunch! I don't make savory treats like this nearly enough and I really need to start <3
Colleen
Hey Dana, thanks so much, these really are delicious and yes, perfect for a Mother's Day brunch!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
I LOVE everything about this recipe! These puffs look delicious!
Colleen
Thanks Sam, these are seriously delicious, and so easy to make, too!
Gloria
I love working with puff pastry. Asparagus is such a great ingredient to work with too....these look delicious.
Colleen
Hi Gloria! Puff pastry is such a great thing to have around, isn't it? These really are delicious.