grilled asparagus and herbed feta tart with buttercups

by Michelle

buttercups

Every summer, the buttercups come and go, while I tear around like a mad woman taking care of my never-ending, continually growing list of must-be-done tasks. Sorry about all the hyphens! This morning was no different. I set out with my day’s plan, until I opened the screen door. Fields of tiny bursts of ethereal sunshine popped in the night. The buttercups had come. What was supposed to be a full day of gardening turned into stopping to bask in the beauty. I actually felt a little guilty lugging my wicker chair into the middle of the pasture and a little silly – truth be told – until I sat down.

The height of my chair placed me just above the sea of yellow. A strong breeze kept the flies away and the sun was that early morning warm leaving me in need of a light cover. Snuggled in my quilt, in the middle of a field of buttercups, I passed the morning.

It’s much harder for me to steal precious moments – note my choice of verb – than it is to work all day. Perhaps it’s my nature or maybe how I was raised. I’m not sure. I’ve spent my whole life in a hurry burdened with lists and self-imposed deadlines. Today I gave myself one of the most beautiful mornings of my life simply by pausing. Take a look around you and when you see the magic, grab it. The work will always be there. The beauty is fleeting…

grilled asparagus and herbed feta tart with buttercups

GRILLED ASPARAGUS AND HERBED FETA TART
preheat oven 400*F

6 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
½ pint cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1 piece puff pastry, ¼ thick 9 x 12
1/3 cup marinara sauce – homemade or commercial
Herbed Feta*

grilled asparagus and herbed feta tart with buttercups / bitebymichelle.com

THE STEPS:

  • Heat grill to high
  • Place a cast iron skillet on one side of grill
  • Add olive oil to skillet
  • Add cherry tomatoes
  • Place trimmed asparagus directly on grill
  • Close lid for 3 minutes
  • Open lid and turn asparagus over – there should be char marks on the stalks
  • The cherry tomatoes should be sizzling – add balsamic vinegar
  • Close lid for 3 more minutes.
  • Place asparagus in a serving dish
  • Pour contents of skillet over the asparagus
  • Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Place puff pastry on a parchment lined baking sheet
  • Prick entire surface of pastry leaving a ¼ “ frame
  • Spread marinara over the pastry
  • Add asparagus spears and cherry tomatoes
  • Sprinkle with crumbled feta
  • Place tart in oven for 20 minutes
  • Serve immediately, at room temperature or cold

* click the link for my herbed feta recipe or use plain feta

THE LOVE: These tarts are a gift. I’ve never put a combination together that we didn’t gobble up. Have fun!

print recipe

grilled asparagus and herbed feta tart with buttercups / bitebymichelle.com

grilled asparagus and herbed feta tart with buttercups / bitebymichelle.com

grilled asparagus and herbed feta tart with buttercups / bitebymichelle.com

grilled asparagus and herbed feta tart with buttercups / bitebymichelle.com

grilled asparagus and herbed feta tart with buttercups / bitebymichelle.com

one year ago: banana cake with cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut

two years ago: off to Italy

three years ago: wild mushroom risotto

buttercups

buttercups

I’d love you to share what I’ve shared with you…

Thanks for reading.