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Asparagus and Walnut Puffs
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By California Walnut Board
Photo: California Walnut Board
Posted October 28th, 2008
Servings: 8
Author Notes:

California WalnutsGo Smart with California Walnuts Smart Menus Program: Delicious, convenient recipes aimed at changing the way Americans eat, brought to you by best-selling author and Oprah regular Dr. Michael Roizen and James Beard award-winning cookbook author Mollie Katzen. Smart Menus is designed to help people embrace a smart eating style that’s long on taste and convenience and short on scolding. Smart recipes and tips on how to create your own smart eating style are available at www.walnuts.org/smartmenus.


Make this elegant appetizer recipe by Carol Resnick for the California Walnut Board anytime you need to impress.

Ingredients: 1 sheet puff pastry, 9 - 10 inches square and 1/4-inch thick, thawed if frozen
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil or 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 cup finely chopped California walnuts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 - 24 asparagus spears (2 or 3 per puff, depending on size)*
2 tablespoon walnut oil
Instructions:

Makes 8 Large Puffs

*Note: Use only the tender asparagus tips, about the top 4 inches from each spear, for this recipe. For variety, use a combination of green and white asparagus.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat. Place the puff pastry sheet on your work surface. Cut it in half, then cut each half into 4 strips, each about 2 inches wide. Place the strips on the prepared baking sheet. If the pastry has become soft, refrigerate for about 15 minutes before continuing.

In a medium bowl combine the ricotta, Parmesan, basil, walnuts, salt and pepper, and stir until well mixed. Spread about 3 tablespoons of cheese mixture over each pastry strip, spreading it almost to the edge. Press two or three asparagus spears into each cheese-topped strip (the thickness of the asparagus will determine how many spears are needed for each pastry). Drizzle with walnut oil. Bake until pastry is puffed and golden and the asparagus is tender, about 25 minutes.

Nutrition information per serving:
Calories: 370, Fat: 28 g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Protein: 12g, Carbohydrate: 19g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 270 mg, Fiber: 2g.



 

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