Shelly's Recipe

PUFF PASTRY WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

Category: Hot

About 40 asparagus spears
1 pkg puff pastry, defrosted in the fridge for 24 hours
Oil in a spray bottle, or a few tbsp in a small bowl to apply with a brush
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
Salt

Preheat the oven to 400.

Rinse the asparagus and pat them dry. Snap the woody bottom off of each one (it will snap naturally when you bend the bottom) and discard.

Unwrap the puff pastry and unfold each sheet. If the pastry refuses to unroll, grab a rolling pin and flatten the dough into a rectangle measuring about 10 x 12 inch.

Cut the pastry into strips that are about 1/4-inch thick and 10 inches long. Fasten the strip of dough at the base of an asparagus spear by winding it all the way around. Then spiral the dough attractively around the spear until you reach the top.

Place the asparagus on a parchment-lined baking sheet with the loose end at the bottom. Repeat with the remaining vegetables, leaving about an inch between them on the tray. Spray or brush with olive oil, then sprinkle lightly with both salt and Parmesan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the asparagus are wrinkled and browned and the pastry is golden. Serve warm or within 2 hours of making them. Makes 40 appetizers