Asparagus and Fava Bean Tart with Herbed Ricotta Recipe

Asparagus and Fava Bean Tart with Herbed Ricotta

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Lemon zest and thyme add subtle fragrance to this showstopping tart's ricotta filling, balancing the savory Parmesan and prosciutto.

By Josh Miller

Updated on July 20, 2023

Tested by

Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Asparagus and Fava Bean Tart with Herbed Ricotta — Photo: Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Torie Cox / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

Active Time:

40 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 30 mins

Yield:

8 servings

Note from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Gently pressing on the par-baked pastry while spreading the filling is key to creating a crisp crust.

Make ahead

Asparagus and fava beans can be blanched 1 day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Suggested pairing

Carlin Karr of Tavernetta in Denver recommends crisp, spicy Grüner Veltliner to accompany this dish, specifically 2018 Nikolaihof Hefeabzug. It has a "fresh radish, fava, pea shoot quality, with a spiciness that is especially great with green veggies. It speaks to the early weeks of spring, with both freshness and texture."

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Ingredients

8 ounces fresh asparagus, trimmed and sliced diagonally into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup shelled fresh fava beans (about 3 ounces)
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 (14-ounce) package frozen puff pastry (such as Dufour), thawed
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
3 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 3/4 cup), divided, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for garnish
4 prosciutto slices (about 2 ounces), torn into strip
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Directions

Place an inverted large rimmed baking sheet on middle oven rack, and preheat oven to 425°F. Do not remove baking sheet while oven preheats. Fill a large bowl with ice water; set aside. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high. Add asparagus and fava beans; cook 1 minute. Drain in a colander. Place colander in bowl of ice water; set aside.
Lightly flour a large sheet of parchment paper. Roll out puff pastry on parchment paper into a 16- x 12-inch rectangle, dusting pastry with flour as needed to prevent sticking. Brush off excess flour from pastry. Using a pizza cutter, cut 1/2-inch-wide strips from perimeter of pastry; set strips aside. Lightly brush some of the beaten egg around pastry perimeter. Gently and loosely twist each pastry strip. Return pastry twists to pastry perimeter, placing on top of brushed egg and pressing gently into pastry base to seal. Trim any overhang from twists. Using a fork, prick the flat pastry surface 40 times; lightly brush with additional beaten egg. Slide parchment with pastry onto an 18- x 13-inch rimmed baking sheet. Using a paring knife, lightly score interior perimeter of pastry just inside twist border. Freeze 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, drain asparagus mixture, and pat dry; set aside. Stir together ricotta, 1/4 cup Parmesan, lemon zest, thyme, salt, pepper, and remaining beaten egg in a medium bowl; set aside.
Remove baking sheet with pastry from freezer, and place on top of preheated inverted baking sheet in oven. Bake until puffed and lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F
Using a small offset spatula, gently spread ricotta mixture over puffed par-baked pastry, pressing gently to slightly flatten; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan. Top evenly with asparagus and fava beans; drape with prosciutto slices. Immediately return to oven, and bake at 375°F until filling is set, about 10 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Garnish with mint, pepper, and Parmesan.

Originally appeared: April 2021