Mr NQN came home from the neurosurgeon one day, plopped down on the couch dramatically and turned to me.
“Guess what the doctor said?” he asked.
“What’s wrong?” I prepared myself for the worst.
“The doctor said that I have to go kitesurfing to get rid of my headache!” he said grinning broadly every tooth in his mouth gleaming in happiness. He raised a hand for a high five. I did not return it.
“Nice try” I said unimpressed.
“Don’t leave me hanging!” he said as I walked away.
Of course I’ll feel terrible if he does have a brain tumah and I was making light of it but I suspect that these man headaches that lead to kitesurfing are an elaborate, expensive extension of the man flu. Because once the doctor told him this the headaches disappeared only to reemerge when housework needed to be done. He actually once clutched at his arm suddenly as if stabbed and writhed on the couch in pain when I asked him to vacuum, I kid you not.
Still that’s how I found myself watching him kitesurf one long weekend day. And by the time we got home it was getting late and I wanted to rustle up something delicious but didn’t take too long. Plus, and this may be where my own brain skipped a beat, but I wanted to photograph it too. So essentially I needed something that could be done within about half an hour before the light completely disappeared.
I pulled out the spring asparagus that I was sent and regarded the inner workings of my fridge and freezer for a moment. I had the basic makings of an onion and cheese tart that I often make and I decided to make a version of it with the asparagus and some prosciutto I had bought for his lunch. It’s one of the easiest things that I make and the longest part was waiting for the oven to preheat and within 30 minutes, with some time to spare I had dinner ready for the ravenous Mr NQN. The pastry was crisp and rich with the cream cheese and the prosciutto wrapped asparagus had a toothsome texture and saltiness from the ham. it is also perfect sliced up in quarters or sections for a picnic as it is good hot or warm. It was devoured happily and I also managed to just get the photos done in time.
And the headache? Well it came back when the dishes needed to be done 
So tell me Dear Reader, how have you spent your weekend or long weekend?
Asparagus & Prosciutto Tart
An Original Recipe by Not Quite Nigella
Serves 4 (with a side salad as an entree)
- 1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry
- 1 bunch of asparagus (about 14-16 spears)
- 75g/2.5 ozs thinly sliced prosciutto
- 75g/2.5 ozs cream cheese, softened
- A little oil to drizzle
- 1 beaten egg to glaze (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
1. Preheat oven to 220C/440F. Line a tray with parchment paper and take out the puff pastry from the freezer. With a ruler and a butter knife (not a particularly sharp one) score a line about one centimetre/half an inch around the edge making sure that you don’t cut through the pastry. Prick the centre with a fork all over and then spread with the cream cheese. I find this done easiest if I just microwave the cream cheese for about 10-15 seconds in the microwave to make it very spreadable. Spread it with an angled spatula or a knife avoiding the outside border area. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, get rid of the woody ends by snapping off the ends of the asparagus. Asparagus will naturally snap at the right point towards the end so just bend and it will snap-discard the woody ends. Heat a saucepan of water and blanch the asparagus for 1-3 minutes (I did mine for 2-3 as they were larger asparagus spears). Drain under cold water to stop further cooking or place in an ice bath.
3. Take out the pastry from the oven and top with prosciutto wrapped asparagus. I alternate one spear of regular asparagus and then one spear of it wrapped in prosciutto-I know there really isn’t any such thing as too much prosciutto but I think a light touch is good here but by all mean buy double the prosciutto and wrap each spear if you desire (although go a bit lighter on the salt at the end if you do that). Drizzle with some oil and brush the edges with egg glaze if desired. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes until the pastry is golden. Serve with a salad and season with salt and pepper.
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75 Comments | Add your own
YUM! That tart just screams spring time picnic!!!! I actually spent my whole weekend baking some snickers cupcakes for my friend!!!
Don’t get me started on excuses not to do housework… Dr Lostpast is a genius at it… mostly important ruminations and the firmly held believe that he doesn’t have any impact whatsoever on dirt in the house and I DO generate most of the dirty dishes…so why not do them all!!! Argh. Lovely recipe… nothing like always having a bit of puff pastry handy. Lucky husband!
Man flu is a common affliction in my house – I am sure some of this asparagus and prosciutto tart would fix it!
what a delicious looking tart!
Just lovely! I thought you might have some Brie under the asparagus when I saw those cute little cheese flags.
A wonderful tart and mouthwatering combination! Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait a few month before I can eat asparagus again.
Cheers,
Rosa
Ooh, this looks lovely. I adore asparagus. I spent my weekend with friends.
This looks delicious – perfect speedy dinner and good for entertaining as well. I’m not surprised Mr NQN’s headache re-appeared when the washing up needed to be done! I’d be the same
No long weekend here sadly but hope you have a good one over there.
This looks delicious Lorraine. Too funny!
This weekend was our first wedding anniversary and we spent it down in the southern highlands. We dined at Biota Dining and Josh’s cafe. You really must get there I know you will love them both!!
I love how they are so nicely lined up! And I can’t believe that when those purple asparagus are cooked, they turn green!
Delicious, I want a slice. Hope my nqn’s headaches disappear.
yumm.. cream cheese interesting.. i would’ve made an eggy shell. maybe more of a quiche!
Popping over from Manu’s Menu to say hello. The Beef Rendang sounded amazing! I think my husband may have also been suffering from the man flu… for like 15 years.
Delicious. 3o minutes is great, must make this within the next week. Thank you .
That is enough to make my mouth water, this time of the morning. It looks so simple too.
I promised my OH this long weekend (today) that I would accompany him on his motorbike for a drive in the hills. Me and my big mouth!
Hi Nigella, lovely post! Purple asparagus is so pretty. We’ve been enjoying Spring asparagus this weekend… white, baby and grande! Made a chicken and asparagus risotto, and enjoyed spears of lightly steamed asparagus with soft boiled eggs and ham. Divine! Am baking a cake at the moment, as the asparagus is about the only “Spring” thing happening here, with the weather so unkind.
Enjoy your day off!
Lizzy
Looks beautiful. Very clever. Gorgeous photos, as always
Hi Lorraine, that looks delicious and the asparagus so fresh. Just wondering if you have any suggestions to substitute the prosciutto as I don’t eat meat? Thank you.
Now you’re talking
! Methinks I wait all year for spring not just for my garden bursting ablaze but for asparagus and artichokes! Love prosciutto too. This looks beautiful and I actually have everything bar puff pastry in the house – well, there can be variations on the theme! The Long Weekend: at home being ‘Eha’: in other words doing ten different things every hour or so 
! So, what is new . . . . ?
Awesome post Lorraine! I know whats for lunch today…
As for this weekend I have had one of those rare weekends without kids or commitments so I did the only thing possible.. spent it on the couch lol.
What a great, fresh idea for a light meal. And it just so happens that I’ve got some Careme pastry and some goats curd in the fridge. I can feel lunch coming on …
Gorgeous dish, Lorraine! I love these sorts of fresh, tasty, simple recipes. I reckon some ricotta could be nice with this one.
Hi Stefanie- some lovely Brie or Camembert or your favorite cheese on top of the cream cheese mint be nice. Or some caramelized onions too?
What an attractive dish! The bits wrapped up just make it. Poor Mr NQN, I hope he feels better soon
, maybe you should take him to a FEMALE doctor for a second opinion 
. My female surgeon recently told me I shouldn’t do tasks like bed making or vacumming anymore, but my hubby was sceptical- when I see her again next week I’m asking her to put it in writing:-)
This dish looks so good and easy. I will have to put it aside for next Spring as Fall has just begun here. You sure do paint a great picture of your husband. Too funny.
Beautiful, interesting, and dead easy. A recipe to love. Thanks, Lorraine! Goat cheese might be nice as well…
—So funny, Lorraine. Mr. M. sounds like several men I know:)I believe he may need to do some deep cleaning to get rid of that headache for good… How Lucky he is to have you cook such breathtaking meals for him. This looks DEEELish. X
Yum! What a great quick meal. It sounds like the perfect picnic dish.
I spent a lot of time this last weekend reading my book – Ape House. It’s a wonderful read so far and I discovered last night that it has quite a large element of truth.
“We are not amused” by the comments re men and ‘man-sickness’ – but this recipe does look great. Yesterday I attended dinner at The Bentley in Surry Hills where Ryan Clift (of ‘The Tippling Club’ Singapore) was cooking. Apart from a fabulous meal the number of flashcameras at work during the evening was ridiculous – it was like a red carpet occasion whenever a new plate appeared on any table. I just don’t believe that there are so many food bloggers – can it be possible?
O well you think you grow up and get married but end up with a teenage son…… good luck with the elaborate man flu. As long as you can cook your sense of humour and worth will be in tact. A lovely spring tart!
Hi retired foodie- what a shame, my food blogger friends and I don’t use flash as that isnt very nice for other diners. I’m surprised that they would. Perhaps they were regular diners that wanted to take photos? I don’t know, sorry to hear that if they were food bloggers.
[thinking] Now would caramelized onions as well as prosciutto as well as a wee bit of another soft cheese . . . . [mmh?]. Shall investigate . . . lol!
You’re just lovely, aren’t you? This looks perfect for Spring
Proscuitto and asparagus is just a match made in heaven! Bookmarking this one!
Hmm, when I have a headache the last thing I want to do is kitesurf. I tend to take a lot of painkillers and lie in a darkened room and moan a lot. But maybe that’s just me. In other news, that asparagus tart looks amazing and so simple. I love that you watched Mr NQN even though you were really not that into it. You two are really supportive of each other’s interests, and that’s lovely to see!
Your tart looks delicious!!! I love asparagus, but don’t get to eat it often enough as my fiance hates it. By the way, my fiance sounds a bit like Mr NQN as he suddenly develops headaches when housework has to be done, either that or he suddenly needs to go into the garage to work on something. Men…..
yum.
I spent the entire weekend doing housework. But it is a GOOD thing cause it was the first time in ages I had the energy so HUZZAH!
Funny boy! Kite surfing to fix a headache, it is a great story but I don’t think I would buy that one either.
The tart looks delicious!! But we have so much food left over from a NRL Grand Final BBQ I won’t need to cook for a while
This looks delicious…wish asparagus was still in season here. I love to spend my weekends baking and catching up with friends…preferably at the same time!
Very simple tart to whip up and very visual. Nice on to keep in mind for mid week dinner.
I spent the weekend in Paris, not so tough.
Looks delish – I sometimes do something similar but instead of cream cheese mix together some ricotta, shaved parmesan and an egg. Puffs up delightfully!
As for the weekend, I ran the longest long run in my marathon training schedule – 34km. I ate a whole pizza afterwards…
Hope you had a good one – it’s an Indian summer here in London – 28 degree days so far in October!
Love this! I have wanted to make an asparagus tart or quiche for ages since I think it looks so pretty but this one is the easiest I have ever seen. Plus love the prociutto. Love it! And my men gets headaches when he’s stressed then gets mad at everyone else. Ugh! Men!
Beautiful tart, it looks absolutely delicious.
.
My weekend? It was boring. Mr P was working and i stayed home catching up on tv an laundry
*kisses* HH
I just remembered that I have asparagus in the crisper and puff pastry in the deep-freeze. Er, would bacon be a reasonable enough replacement for prosciutto?
Hey…that’s just plain cruel of Mr NQN! LOL Did you ban him from eating any of this splendid tart?!
Hi Midge-absolutely! Sounds great!
Thanks Lorraine, will try one of your suggestions. As much as I love cooking I have never made a tart as I am not so confident with pastry, your recipe looks great so I will definitely make this. Perfect spring dish
That looks amazing!! Asparagus season is over for this year in Germany but I will save it for next spring!
AHAHAHA… usually I’m the one pulling all the tricks to get out of the housework!! I play dumb and fall asleep and start snoring immediately
Try bribing with cookies since this tart didn’t work!
Nice tart! Men & housework hey, they’ll do anything to get away with it.
Oh yum! Am so jealous you have spring vegetables available now, I totally adore asparagus.
So lovely- have also loved wrapping asparagus stems in prosciutto as dippers for souffles or cream based soups. Such a great flavour combo. For us the weekend was a shocking 28 degrees in London. Ate in a park and wondered why we couldn’t have weather like this always…
Those headaches can be quite unpredictable, or predictable:)
this looks TOO easy and delicious!! bookmarked the recipe can’t wait to try it, esp on days when i dont have much time to cook. thanks! =D
Oh yum! Delicious & easy – my kind of recipe!
My weekend was chaotic with most of it spent getting ready for my little girl’s 2nd Birthday party yesterday
Totally my kind of food and so easy! Looks delish, and officially on my list!
What a gorgeous tart, and I happen to have some puff pastry on hand. I love that you wrapped only every second asparagus.
I do hope that what ever ails Mr. NQN that it is not serious, and hopefully he is really just kidding to get out of housework,;-)
What a gorgeous tart!!! I am sad its no longer asparagus season in NYC
I spent the weekend trying to get every single moment outside I could because the weather is supposed to turn this week.
I make a similar tart, but don’t use the prosciutto which is an amazing idea!!!
Asparagus tarts always look so impressive — fabulous job, Lorraine! I am thrilled that fall is in full swing here and I can imagine that you’re ready for spring and some warm weather!
What a wonderful tart, I find sparagus so simple, so delicius, and the combination with prosciuto makes it irresistible. I have migraine, and I normally have crisis each 28th and yesterday I had a very terrible pain that made me nerviuos at it was in my head but wasn’t migraine. Today I went to the doctor and he said it’s stress…so I think my husband will be in charge to take care of the house.
Haha Stud is usually pretty good with the housework. Its the cooking that he despises which suits me fine lol. This looks great Lorraine! Such classic combos and totally delicious!
Yum! Springtime in a tart
After a lovely week on holidays in sunny far north Queensland (after a sad week including a family funeral and the death of our beloved pet hen Angel) I returned to cold rainy Sydney and spent almost a whole day springcleaning my pantry cupboard…quite an effort but such pleasing results that i can’t resist opening the door each time i pass and gazing proudly inside…so good to know what’s in there!
Well that’s just too much. Mr NQN is a smartie indeed. I’ve suspected as much from my Mr… ‘man flu’ ‘headache’ symptoms, especially when the bathroom needs doing. He hasnt been to the doc, and now I’ll tell him not to bother, lol. He is busted.
Great tart, looks amazingly tasty. Wish I had some asparagus, id make some for dinner.
I’m a long time reader and had to delurk to comment. The tart looked so good I cooked it tonight. I substituted goats cheese for the cream cheese and sprinkled extra goats cheese and chives on top. It was a smash hit!
Thanks for your kind comments everyone! And Di, great stuff! I’m so glad that you liked it and I like the idea with goat’s cheese!
I tried another variation tonight where I subbed the prosciutto for black olive tapenade and grated cheese and it really worked well.
ha – I think I know that feeling – love the look of the tart – I am not feeling like spring yet because I just haven’t had enough asparagus – oh the shame of it and almost mid spring!
I always get inspired by your recipes. Another one I have to add to my archive
Ooh, delicious! I have been craving asparagus and prosciutto lately, and I have a substantial amount of cream cheese left in my fridge from making a cheesecake! OH and puff pastry! :O Thank you for putting all of these together in a delicious attempt to clear out my fridge, hehe!
Oh the eternal struggle of cooking something before it gets dark…most of the year I don’t get home until after dark, which explains some of my pictures…
Haha I like Mr NQN’s housework induced headaches.
Must try this. I like that it doesn’t use very many ingredients!
that looks so delicious!!
i like those little ceraminc labels..where did u get those from?
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