I absolutely love this recipe because it’s the perfect blend of flaky puff pastry and savory fillings, making every bite irresistibly delicious. Plus, it’s impressively easy to whip up, adding a touch of gourmet flair to any gathering without breaking a sweat.
I adore the delightful fusion of flavors in my Asparagus Ham Cheese Puffs. They are made with a little puff pastry enclosing tender spears of asparagus, slices of savory ham, and either Swiss cheese or Gruyère.
I like my puffs with a hint of spice from Dijon mustard. With protein from the ham and a bevy of vitamins from the asparagus, they’re both delicious and nutritious!
Ingredients
Puff pastry: Delivers a light, flaky texture and a buttery taste.
Spears of asparagus: Abundant in fiber and vitamins A, C, and K.
Deli ham is a protein-rich savored and tasted food.
Adds creaminess and rich, nutty flavor: Swiss cheese or Gruyère.
Egg: Binds pastry; adds golden color and protein.
Dijon mustard: Provides a zesty bite, enriches flavor intricacy.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- 8 asparagus spears, trimmed
- 8 slices of deli ham
- 8 slices of Swiss cheese or Gruyère
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to warm up, and get a baking sheet ready with parchment paper.
2. Cut the thawed sheet of puff pastry into 8 equal rectangles.
3. If using, puff pastry must first have a thin layer of Dijon mustard spread on it.
4. On each rectangle of puff pastry, place a slice of ham; on top of that, place a slice of cheese.
5. Set an asparagus spear at one end of each rectangle of puff pastry, then roll the pastry around an asparagus spear, a slice of prosciutto, and a piece of Gruyère.
6. In a small bowl, beat together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash.
7. To promote browning, brush the egg wash onto the rolled pastries.
8. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the pastries, to taste, before baking.
9. Position the rolls on the baking sheet, seam side down, leaving space between them.
10. Preheat the oven and bake in it for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown. Serve warm.
Equipment Needed
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Sharp knife
5. Cutting board
6. Small bowl
7. Whisk or fork (for beating the egg)
8. Pastry brush
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of cheese?Certainly! You can use cheddar, mozzarella, or any cheese that melts nicely and goes well with the flavors to replace Swiss cheese or Gruyère.
- Do I need to pre-cook the asparagus?The asparagus will bake in the puff pastry, becoming tender and slightly crunchy yet totally tender.
- Is it possible to make these puffs vegetarian?Certainly! Just leave out the ham or substitute it with a vegetarian-friendly option, such as sliced bell peppers or grilled eggplant.
- Can I prepare these puffs ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the puffs a few hours in advance and refrigerate them. Just be sure to add the egg wash right before baking.
- What is the purpose of the egg wash?The pastry is given a beautiful golden brown color and a slightly shiny finish by means of egg wash.
- Is the Dijon mustard necessary?The optional Dijon mustard adds a nice, tangy flavor. If you like a milder taste, feel free to leave it out.
Substitutions and Variations
Use crescent roll dough as an alternative to puff pastry for a flaky dough.
For a different vegetable twist, replace asparagus with green beans or thinly sliced zucchini.
Replace deli ham with turkey slices or cooked bacon for a different savory flavor.
If you want a different cheese profile, opt for cheddar or mozzarella instead of Swiss cheese or Gruyère.
Substitute honey mustard for the Dijon mustard called for in the recipe, and you’ll get an end result that is just as tasty, if not tastier, than what will come from using the French mustard.
Pro Tips
1. Chill the Pastry: Before assembling the rolls, make sure to keep the puff pastry in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Cold pastry puffs up better and maintains its structure while baking.
2. Trim and Parboil the Asparagus: For more tender asparagus, consider parboiling the spears for 2-3 minutes in salted boiling water and then transferring them to an ice bath to halt the cooking. This will ensure they are perfectly tender after baking.
3. Seal the Edges: When rolling the pastry around the asparagus and filling, gently press the seams to seal them. This helps prevent the rolls from unrolling during baking.
4. Variety of Cheeses: For a richer flavor, try mixing different cheeses, such as combining Gruyère and Swiss or adding a little shredded Parmesan to the filling.
5. Season Inside, Too: Besides seasoning the top of the pastry with salt and pepper, lightly season the inside after adding the cheese and ham for more balanced flavor throughout.
Asparagus Ham Cheese Puffs Recipe
My favorite Asparagus Ham Cheese Puffs Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Sharp knife
5. Cutting board
6. Small bowl
7. Whisk or fork (for beating the egg)
8. Pastry brush
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- 8 asparagus spears, trimmed
- 8 slices of deli ham
- 8 slices of Swiss cheese or Gruyère
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Instructions:
1. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to warm up, and get a baking sheet ready with parchment paper.
2. Cut the thawed sheet of puff pastry into 8 equal rectangles.
3. If using, puff pastry must first have a thin layer of Dijon mustard spread on it.
4. On each rectangle of puff pastry, place a slice of ham; on top of that, place a slice of cheese.
5. Set an asparagus spear at one end of each rectangle of puff pastry, then roll the pastry around an asparagus spear, a slice of prosciutto, and a piece of Gruyère.
6. In a small bowl, beat together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash.
7. To promote browning, brush the egg wash onto the rolled pastries.
8. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the pastries, to taste, before baking.
9. Position the rolls on the baking sheet, seam side down, leaving space between them.
10. Preheat the oven and bake in it for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown. Serve warm.
