The Cottage Smallholder


stumbling self sufficiency in a small space

Blogs worth visiting: Writing at the Kitchen Table

Asparagus TartWe’ve had rather a gruelling time recently. Just wall to wall work plus projects, blog and garden. It’s very easy to get things out of proportion. I found myself driving down to Essex, gripping the steering wheel and fretting about not getting all my seeds in on time.

So I earmarked Sunday to catch up. Not with a frenzy of seed planting but a lazy long morning in bed with the Min Pins and the laptop. I find that catching up on relaxing is often the best answer for stress. Somehow, miraculously, everything falls into place. So what if we are eating sweet corn a month after everyone else?

There’s nothing like a good breakfast in bed followed by a leisurely browse through some of my favourite foodie blogs. An asparagus and crab recipe on Richard’s blog caught my eye. He also has a great category called Take One Ingredient. He featured asparagus a few days ago. Well written and interesting. With the whirl of the last few weeks I had not even noticed asparagus was around. And I’m passionate about this vegetable. Particularly when it comes to scoffing a decent handful.

Over at Writing at the Kitchen Table there was a long post on asparagus. The soup looked tempting but I was totally seduced by the Asparagus Tart. Overtired and feeling shattered the latter was exactly what I wanted to make. It hit two birds with one flan. I wanted to test the advice for avoiding soggy pastry (in a quiche, flan or tart) and also I felt like making something delicate, subtle and totally different from the Man Food that D loves.

I really enjoy the Writing at the Kitchen Table blog. Freya writes so well. The journey is easy, witty and inspirational. I also love her header graphic. I would, given the place that the Min Pins have here in the Cottage.

I made Freya’s Asparagus Tart last night. It was superb. Gentle and truly chic – perfect for a light girly lunch or as a starter. When Anna (super chef) tasted it cold today, she shrieked with joy.

It’s basically a rich savoury egg custard with asparagus. The parmesan gives the dish an edge but is hardly discernable. I only had single rather than double cream but it was still delicious. Freya bakes her pastry blind. I tried out the beaten egg coating on the pastry. It took quite a while to harden (15-20 mins) but it was worth the wait as it worked.

Danny enjoyed it but wondered if a tart exists that includes rare beef, kidneys or sausages.


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9 Comments

  1. Scotland Cottage

    Buy some new soil! then give it a shot 😀

  2. Holiday Cottage

    Yummmmm! I am finding it hard to grow the stuff, the soil where we are is so alkaline! I cant even grow runner beans!

    Any tips?

  3. Fiona Nevile

    Hello Holiday Cottage

    The tart is delicious and a perfet way of using asparagus.

  4. Holiday Cottage

    Lovely blog! yes the tart does sound quite nice! especially in the nice weather that we are having!!!! Although saying that maybe I should grow some asparagus!

  5. Fiona Nevile

    Your blog has loads of vvvroooom, Richard.

  6. Richard

    Thanks for the mention – too kind!
    I’m also tempted by Freya’s tart…

  7. Fiona Nevile

    Last slice of the tart today. Still exceptional. Anna and I ate it for lunch. Thank you so much, Freya. Three days of heaven.

  8. Freya

    Freya forgot to mention the Min Pins! I love these little nippers. We don’t have room for another dog, or do we?
    -Paul

  9. Freya

    Wow, we are flattered and honoured that you’ve highlighted our blog! I’m so glad you enjoyed the tart! It was such a good recipe that I had to share it and it’s great to hear good feedback!
    Your blog and self-sufficiency endeavours are inspirational to us (who one day dream of being able to do it ourselves!) too!

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