This Asparagus Gruyere Tart is gorgeous and impressive. Makes for a delicious appetizer or main dish. It’s also super EASY to make! You’ve got to try this!
That dreaded walk of shame.
You might know that walk. And maybe you have to endure that walk pretty frequently like myself. I’m talking about whenever I’m late for something. Walking in late. With my head slightly down.
At church. At pre-school when I drop off Madeline late. At Madeline’s ballet class. Sometimes, when meeting friends.
I’m almost always running late, which I hate. This is something I am constantly working on. Some days/weeks are great but some days/weeks, it’s bad. Like having your daughter late to pre-school everyday, three days in a row.
The walk of shame.
You can tell what the state of my life and mind are simply by looking in my purse (or my messy bedroom). If my purse is organized, I’m good. . but usually it’s a big mess, with all sorts of things thrown in there: napkins, snacks, half eaten crackers and granola bars, a million pieces of paper with scribbles on it (almost always a grocery list or recipe ideas).
The other day, I was done. I was sick of having crap everywhere so I cleaned the house, cleaned out my purse and got Madeline to school on time. And then, I came home and made this asparagus gruyere tart.
Asparagus Gruyere Tart
This super easy and utterly delicious Asparagus Gruyere Tart.
Maybe it was the magical, beautiful asparagus that inspired me. That was calling my name. Maybe it’s because it’s spring and the weather is starting to warm up again and I have no time for lateness. I have no time for messy and unorganized.
I want to be my best self this spring. Insert the inspirational music right here.
And this asparagus gruyere tart kinda gave me hope that I can do it. And you can too.
Easter is less than one month away and I don’t know about you, but Easter is big for us. And you gotta have great food right?! We always host an Easter brunch and you can bet that this tart will be on the table.
Totally inspired by Martha but I added some fun twists to make my version of this classic! Add this honey dijon mustard with balsamic vinegar for an extra kick. If you don’t have this mustard, you can simply use dijon mustard (or plain honey dijon) and a few splashes of balsamic vinegar before serving. I hope you give this one a try!
Click here to see me making this tart on The TODAY Show! And I added even more spring goodness: peas on top (can be fresh or frozen) and fresh pea shoots as a garnish before serving!
Asparagus Gruyere Tart
Ingredients
For the tart:
- 1 to 2 sheets frozen puff pastry* defrosted
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey dijon mustard with balsamic vinegar or plain dijon mustard
- 2 to 3 cups Gruyere cheese freshly grated (or use any white cheese you like)
- 1 1/2 pounds medium asparagus trimmed**
- fresh or frozen (defrosted) peas
- extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Additional toppings:
- Fresh lemon zest
- Balsamic glaze when serving
- Fresh pea shoots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Working on a lightly floured work surface, roll out your defrosted puff pastry to the size you desire. You can keep it square or roll out to a more rectangular shape. Prep a parchment paper lined baking sheet and place the defrosted puff pastry sheet on the baking sheet, (if using TWO sheets: overlap them just about an inch or so in order to connect them and gently press together where the 2 puff pastry sheets are overlapped.) Using a sharp knife, lightly score the pastry dough 1 inch in from the edges all around to mark a rectangle. Then, using a fork, pierce the dough all around in the center, not the edges. Bake the pastry dough until lightly golden, for about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the pastry shell from the oven, let it sit for a minute or two and then spread on the honey dijon mustard with balsamic vinegar (or dijon mustard if that's what you have) and then sprinkle on the Gruyere cheese.If your puff pastry completely puffs up like a pillow, no worries! that just means air wasn't able to escape through the holes you created with the fork. Simply poke holes through the center until it deflates a little and then take the back of a spoon and gently press down in the center only to flatten. Make sure the outer edges (your crust) is still puffed up!
- **Trim the bottoms of the asparagus spears to fit crosswise inside the tart shell. Arrange them in a single layer over the Gruyere cheese, alternating ends and tips. Sprinkle on the peas if using. Brush or lightly drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Place back into the oven and bake until the asparagus spears are tender, for about 20 to 25 minutes. Watch your tart while in the oven! Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Add additional toppings like the lemon zest to brighten the tart and some balsamic glaze if desired. Slice and serve and enjoy!
Asparagus Gruyere Tart
Here it is with the peas and fresh lemon zest! I highly recommend adding!
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Easter Brunch Menu Ideas:
Asparagus Gruyere Tart, recipe above
Onion, Mushroom and Thyme Tart
Apple Spinach and Zucchini Salad
Olive Oil and Thyme Mini Bundt Cakes
Alice – when you mentioned this was easy in your post, I was skeptical – then I got to the recipe instructions – this IS easy indeed – but it looks so complicated and so good! What a wonderful combo of Dijon and Gruyere with pastry and asparagus!
Btw, I so understand the whole purse is a mess and your life is crazy dealio! I suffer from that too!
🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
So I’m definitely your opposite. I’m always early to everything. So when I’m dealing with friends in your situation, I trick them by giving them the wrong meeting time so they think they’re late, but are actually right on time. Evil, I know.
This tart is everything in life I love. Cheese, asparagus, puff pastry. Say no more! Fancy drizzle, too…
This beautiful tart screams Easter! I can imagine its deliciousness especially with that glaze! I can identify with the messy purse situation! Most of the time I can use my purse as a hand weight…I’m not even sure what’s in it but it’s so stinkin’ heavy! Have a great weekend, Alice!!
Asparagus is my absolute favourite! What an absolutely stunning photo that first one is! I’m definitely drooling over here – love those fantastic flavours!
I’m never really late, but my life IS totally disorganized…and so is my apartment. It’s starting to drive me crazy lately! I think I need to do some spring cleaning and then reward myself with a major slice of this tart. Yay for asparagus season!!
What a gorgeous tart – and I know what you mean by your purse – my purse is definitely a reflection of my state of mind. So funny how much better I feel when I clean it all out 🙂
I’m always early for everything, but I do feel your pain. It is hard to get out of the house on time during the week. This tart sounds amazing, Alice! I love the asparagus and gruyere combo. So perfect for spring!
I know what you mean about your purse and I feel like I’m always rushing to get out the door on time too. Yay for getting some cleaning done. I did the same thing yesterday and it felt awesome:) Love this asparagus gruyere tart! It looks gorgeous and perfect for spring!
Alice, I am chronically late—never on purpose either. I feel your pain! This tart is GORGEOUS. Sharing on my FB page today!
Thanks Erin!!!
What a beautiful tart! So perfect for spring!
The tart looks beautiful Alice! Love asparagus! I used to always be early or just on time, but recently , just don’t know what’s going on I’m always late… I know how it feels! Have a great weekend!
Oh this tart would be PERFECT for Easter, Alice! And don’t get down on yourself for being late- it happens to the best of us!
I’m the new me today, Sarah! and Madeline is going to be EARLY for ballet today, woot woot!! 😛 TGIF!
Hi can I make this ahead of time??? I hVe cooked it a dozen times and it’s wonderful but I am trying to get a head start on Thanksgiving cooking.
Hi! I wouldn’t .. I think this tart tastes best right out of the oven, sorry!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Wondering the same !
Hi Teri, I wouldn’t .. I think this tart tastes best right out of the oven, sorry!! Happy Thanksgiving!
It looks so fancy – but it does sound quite accessible! A wonderful spring dish.
Asparagus is so good! I love that you put it over a gruyere tart. You are getting me excited for spring, Alice!
This look so delicious and sophisticated Alice. When I looked at the ingredient list my heart leaped a little – so easy!!! I just love this – it looks like spring in a cheesy crispy crust. Yum!!!!
Exquisite
That’s all!
xx
Such a beauty! I’d love it for Easter, too, but I think I need an excuse to make it before then. I’m SO glad to see our snow melting! Fingers crossed that we’ve both seen our last snow flake till NEXT winter!
I just hate being late! Even worse when you have to do that walk of shame, you’re so right. I try to sidle in sideways as fast as possible. How pretty are the asparagus you got? This tart sounds delicious! And so pretty. So happy spring is here : )
Oh Alice I am the worst with being on time. I try so hard but fail. My friends know to give me the ‘Zainab time’ whenever they need me some place on time. Sad! This tart looks amazing friend!
Oh I know how it feels..and been working on that one, too. ..especially when it comes to blogging because things keep changing. Rough drive but I’m hoping things get better. And this asparagus tart…aren’t you glad that Spring is here? It looks so lovely, indeed!
You are well on your way to being your best this spring because this tart is stellar. And you set your mind to it. The organization, the cleaning, the on time. And this tart. Sigh.
Sucha soft and flaky looking crust, and a beautiful accent with the balsamic glaze!!
I can’t even tell you how much I love this tart! And I am so glad that asparagus is finally in season. I picked up a bunch of it today and can’t wait to try out this beautiful tart!
Mmm that tart looks SO savory! I love all the flavors going on, honey dijon mustard, gruyere cheese, yum!! And the asparagus on top just looks beautiful, and probably tastes out of this world! Pinned 🙂
This tart would be perfect for Easter brunch!
This tart is gorgeous, Alice, and asparagus is on the top of my list of favorite veggies! Even though it’s paired with puff pastry and cheese, it’s still the star here, which I love. Pinned!
Puff pastry can literally solve ALL problems! This looks delicious and I love love love asparagus!
I’m not the biggest fan of asparagus, but perhaps this tart is the key… 😀
Ugh. I hate being late! I used to be on time…EARLY…for everything. Then I had kids. They’ve ruined me! This tart has my name written all over, girl. Asparagus is my favorite vegetable and gruyere is my favorite cheese – it’s like you made it just for me.
Great food is an absolute must. I mean, it’s all about the food, right? Love this savory tart. Pinned.
Aspragus. Check! Gruyere. Check! Dijon Mustard. Check! But why, oh why I don’t have puff pastry in my freezer! This tart looks fabulous, Alice. Will make this just as soon as I get my hands on some puff pastry and before asparagus goes bad. Yum!
I LOVE this. And you cleaned and made this tart. You must have felt like you were winning at life that day. I love moments like that (however fleeting they may be!). This is so perfect for Spring. On the top of my “to-make” list! XO
You were always on time whenever we met up so I’m a biiiiiit skeptical of this post, dear friend 🙂 Tony’s dad used to always drive him late to his Catholic elementary school and Tony would always get detention, even though it wasn’t his fault. That’s why he HATES being late. We always err on the side of caution and show up early. The ONE time we thought we had plenty of time to get to our destination was the wedding banquet of his best friend. It was only a 10 minute drive from our apartment and we figured that Chinese banquets always start late. When we got there, dinner had already started and everyone could see us doing that dread walk of shame to our table. SO AWFUL! Anyways, I’m in love with this gorgeous, elegant, delicious tart! That swirl of balsamic vinegar over top makes it look like a piece of art!
So gorgeous, the perfect tart for spring brunches!
(I’m always running late too, I often get lost in a project right before I’m supposed to be somewhere.. grr!)
The tart is gorgeous and I’m so surprised to see such a short ingredient list! I can totally imagine how people will love this if I bring it to a party 🙂
I love asparagus but it isn’t in season here in Oz so I’ll bide my time… I have the opposite walk – I am always early. To everything. By ages. Then get annoyed when I have to wait for people/things to start/gates to open…
This tart is absolutely beautiful Alice! And I’m so with you on the walk of shame. Asheley and I hate being late, and we are normally really good about it… but when we are late, I get all sorts of panicked and nervous and upset. Ugh, I don’t know how I’m going to do it when I add a baby into the mix!!!
This looks yummy! Can i substitute the Geuyere cheese (if I cannot find it) I’m thinking a provolone, or mozzarella? Thinking of making this for our Easrer dinner.
Thank you Jennifer!! and of course!!! A provolone and mozzarella blend would be nice!
How do you keep the puff pastry from burning if you pre-cook it then it has to be in the oven again for 20-25 minutes to cook the asparagus? I want to make this for Easter but concerned if I should saute’ the asparagus to soften it a bit before it goes on the tart and into the over to get all gooey and delicious.
Hi Rosemary! It will not burn! the pre-cook is only for 15 minutes. You do not need to saute the asparagus either. . it will bake nicely in the oven. you still want a little “bite” and you don’t want your asparagus too soft and mushy. If you are concerned about the tart burning, I suggest you bake this before Sunday if you can. This also freezes well if you can’t finish it. . also, check out this video: http://www.marthastewart.com/318340/asparagus-gruyere-tart to see the recipe being made step by step. . mine is different . . I use 2 sheets of puff pastry and connect them and add the dijon and balsamic for more flavor but this should help give you a visual. Good luck and happy Easter!
Thank you so much. I found some beautiful asparagus at the store today and I’m excited to try this. I do like my asparagus with a little bite to it too. No way on the mushy stuff. lol Thanks again for responding and for the link.
of course! please let me know how it turns out!
I know that walk of shame ALL too well. It’s the worst! this tart is gorgeous!!!
haha, thank you Ashley!
This is such a unique recipe for asparagus! I’m always looking for other ways to use. Asparagus is great for detoxing the body! 🙂
That balsamic glaze … what a great idea! My mouth is watering over this amazing tart!
oh man, my purse and car are trashed now. I need to do a big purge!
And make this tart
I always loved this tart. So unique and beautiful.
What a beautiful tart! Perfect for Easter, too.
Thank you so much, Ashley!
Looks absolutely wonderful! Do you think if could be prepped at all earlier in the day?
Hi Sue, the only prep I think you can do is defrost the puff pastry and prep the asparagus (just trim the ends). Since you’re working with puff pastry dough, you really need to do everything the day of, unfortunately. But it doesn’t take long and will give you something beautiful and delicious to serve!
I bet this would be delicious! I love the addition of the mustard for a little zing! Pinning!
Thank you so much!
Hi,
Sorry for the silly question, but what kind of pan and what size? Thanks!! Do you mix 1tbl of balsamic vinegar with
1Tbl of dijon? I wasn’t clear on the directions.
hi Erika! You can use a rimless baking sheet or standard or large (12×17 or 11 x 17) baking sheet. . you just need something large enough to hold your puff pastry. If you like dijon mustard, use 1 to 2 tablespoons; spread it on the baked puff pastry after it has cooled for just a couple of minutes. Add the cheese and asparagus etc .. and then, when serving, I would add a splash of balsamic vinegar. Alternatively, you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons (just a splash) when you are spreading on the dijon mustard. Hope this helps! thank you for stopping by!
I baked mine 15 min. And the pastry puffed up despite the fork poking, so when it came out I pressed it down gently. Then put down the mustard, then cheese and asparagus. Mine came out chewy and burned, too brown and crispy. Not sure what I did wrong, seems the 15 min. Pre-baking is too long? It looked pretty but tasted burned.
Hi Sherry! Sorry to hear that. . I’ve baked this tart several times so I’m not sure what happened. Maybe try it again but for just 10 minutes? May I ask what brand of puff pastry you used? also, how long did you let it defrost and how? Also, after removing the pastry shell from the oven, did you let it sit for a minute or two before spreading on the honey dijon mustard? and yes, sometimes the puff pastry still does puff up just a little even though you prick it with a fork but just a little and yes, you should press it down gently just like you did. Let’s try to figure out what happened!
This Asparagus Gruyere Tart is something new for me! Looks like a pizza:) I found your post from Pinterest! Thanks for sharing, Alice!
Yes, it does! But the puff pasty dough/crust is different from pizza dough. . hope you try it!
Found this on pinterest and would love to know if I could make it in advance, then bake the next day? Possibly bake the pastry the day before, then top with gruyere and asparagus then bake? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks so much!
Hi Allison, I’ve never tried that before with puff pastry. . I would worry that the pastry would get too soft. . it’s best made and baked same day, sorry!
That asparagus gruyere tart is so Instagrammable and adorable! As you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely! Thx for sharing!
This SO reminds me of springtime. Of course we love asparagus any time of the year though.
I love the way these looked and tasted. 5 stars.
These all sound so tasty! Yum!
Looks almost too nice to eat. Great looking recipe.
I can’t believe how good this looks. Definitely trying this weekend.
I will make this tonight, I love asparagus.
This was amazing, so easy, but excellent and beautiful. I will be making it again soon.
Kids loved it. very good and easy recipe, i tried it last night
I also love asparagus this time of the year – the color, the taste. It’s perfect! I love this gorgeous tart and can’t wait to try it.
I really need to get back on my asparagus game! This tart sounds like a good way to start!
Made with GF puff pastry…so easy and so delish! Looks very impressive too. Will make again and again
Hooray!!! Thank you, Shelley!
Made this tart last night for family dinner and it was a hit! Thank you so much for a very simple, but very elegant dish. I didn’t have honey Dijon with balsamic so I mixed some Dijon mustard with some balsamic vinegar and brushed it on the the pastry after the first bake. It’s such a nice sharp flavor that contrasts so well with the asparagus and cheese. I also added a few very thin slices of red onion, scattered onto the cheese before placing the asparagus. This will be a featured dish at many more meals and occasions.
Hi Cathy, hooray!! Makes me so happy and love your additions!