Asparagus in Puff Pastry with Brie and Honey

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Usually, I buy my ingredients and then think of recipes to make with them. This time, I saw a photo of asparagus in puff pastry that left my mouth watering so badly there was no saying no - I just had to go out and get some more asparagus. Having enjoyed the white ones this past week, I went back to my favourite of all - the green.


Ingredients (makes 4):
12 green asparagus stalks (slightly thinner ones are preferable to really thick ones)
150g brie
20ml runny honey
1 egg
chunky sea salt 
1 tsp sesame seeds or chia seeds 

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

1. Remove 4 sheets of puff pastry from the freezer and let them defrost. 

2. Slice the brie into very thin slices of brie and cover the the puff pastry with it. 

3. Cut the rough bottom 1 cm off the asparagus stalks, then press them into the brie - 3 on each piece of puff pastry.

4. Drizzle the asparagus with honey, then sprinkle with a bit of salt. Fold the puff pastry packets shut - use a bit of water if you have trouble making it stick. 

5. Lightly beat the egg, then use it to brush the puff pastry. Sprinkle the pastry with sesame or chia as decoration.

6. Place in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until the puff pastry puffs up and goes a golden brown. (NB: A fix if your asparagus stalks were on the thick side and you notice that by this stage, the pastry is ready but the asparagus may need a few minutes longer, is to cover the pastry (but not the asparagus) with pieces of aluminium foil to prevent it from burning while you leave the packets in the oven a little longer. Watch them closely at this stage, you don’t want to burn the asparagus.)

Remove from the oven and serve hot.  




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