font loading for Top nav
 
 
 
 

25.03.2019

SPRING INTO ACTION: ASPARAGUS IS HERE

Fresh raw asparagus on a chopping board

25.03.2019

Heather Taylor

Deputy food editor

 

SPRING INTO ACTION:
ASPARAGUS IS HERE

Usually a short-but-sweet seasonal treat, you can now enjoy British asparagus for longer than ever – the perfect excuse to whip up this simple spring tart

The fact that M&S British-grown asparagus now hits the shelves as early as March is largely down to the efforts of one man. Jonn Chinn, who supplies our asparagus, has pioneered an innovative new growing technique at his Herefordshire farm, which has extended the season of this brilliant British crop. He uses cold-resistant polytunnels to help the first green shoots appear earlier, meaning we can enjoy this tender, delicate veggie sooner. Asparagus works in all sorts of dishes, whether charred and served with lemon and hollandaise (tip: we sell a great cheat’s version of this classic sauce in-store) or in our moreish cheese tart, below. Head to your nearest store now and get a true taste of spring.
Find your nearest store  Get our daily edit

“Head to your local M&S to enjoy
the FIRST of this season’s crop
of British asparagus”

Cheat’s cheese and
asparagus tart

This easy tart uses ready-made puff pastry and our delicious cheddar cheese sauce (available in-store) to create a beautifully simple spring dish

Serves 4-6

1 sheet of puff pastry
½ tub of M&S cheddar cheese sauce
13 British asparagus spears
A small handful of watercress, to serve
A small handful of M&S micro-leaf salad, to serve
Juice of 1 lemon
Fresh mint, to serve

Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6, and place a flat baking tray inside to preheat.

Roll out the pastry into a rectangle, then spoon over the cheese sauce, leaving a gap around the edges. Bake on the preheated baking sheet for 25 minutes, until golden and bubbling.

Cut the asparagus spears at the end to remove their woody ends. Take the pastry out and lay the asparagus on top, then return to the oven for 4-5 minutes.

Dress the watercress and salad with the lemon juice and scatter over the mint. Serve the tart with the minty, lemony salad.

Trending stories

Editor’s Pick
How to keep Mum sweet
See the gift ideas
The Interview
Women behind M&S Food
Read the feature
Editor’s Pick
Mother’s Day in bloom
Pick a bunch
Kitchen Notes
The easy guide to wine pairing
Tell me more