Asparagus Tart

Admittedly, puff pastry is one of my favorite ingredients. Besides the obvious - it's innate buttery goodness - it is quick to bake with and can transform something as simple as asparagus into something extravagant. Not there is anything simple about these local asparagus. At present, the farmers market is teeming with these young and tender spears. It will be worth your trip there.

Asparagus Tart

Serves 4

1/2 pound fresh asparagus

1 sheet frozen puff pastry

1/2 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated cheddar

freshly ground black pepper

salt

1. Set the oven to 400 ^oF. Roll out the puff pastry onto a baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, lightly score the pastry one inch from the edges to make a inner rectangle. With a fork, pierce this rectangle at 1 inch intervals and bake for 15 minutes.

2. Remove the pastry from the oven and spread the ricotta evenly across the inside of the pastry shell, followed by the cheddar and the asparagus. Sprinkle lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.