PANCETTA, ASPARAGUS AND GOAT CHEESE TART

Yes, I said PANCETTA!!! Love the flavor, so much more than bacon. Pancetta is actually a type of bacon that isn't smoked. Sometimes it may have chunks of pine nuts and fresh cracked pepper.

This dish is very easy and can be made in less than a half hour.


Ingredients:

1/4 lb pancetta, diced
1 shallot finely chopped
1 lb asparagus trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 lb puff pastry, thawed
1/2 lb goat cheese (you could use feta as well)
1 egg yolk
salt
fresh cracked pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Cook the pancetta in a pan until brown and drain on paper towels. Reserve 1 tbl of pancetta grease and add the shallot to that. Cook about 1 minute and add asparagus. Cook about 5 minutes until asparagus is cooked but still crispy. Take the pan off heat and combine pancetta with shallot and asparagus.

Roll out the puff pastry on a piece of parchment paper to about 10 x 14. Transfer the pastry and the parchment to a baking sheet. Put the goat cheese on top of the pastry leaving about an inch on all sides. Sprinkle the asparagus mixture on top. Season with salt and pepper.

Brush the sides with the egg yolk so the pastry gets a nice golden brown. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, let cool and serve warm.

Did I say how much I love PANCETTA!
ENJOY!