Savory Spring Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tart

My Dad put this recipe perfectly. While sitting down at the table to enjoy Easter dinner, he simply stated, "Real men don't eat quiche". He then proceeded to to serve himself up a slice of this savory tart, and guess what, he immediately retracted the previous statement. With the creaminess of the goat cheese mixed with the crisp asparagus tips, there are hardly words to describe how absolutely delicious this is. And trust me when I tell you that every man at the dinner table ate the quiche.

Savory Spring Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tart
Serves 8

Ingredients:

• 1 store-bought pie crust
• all-purpose flour, for sprinkling counter surface
• 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed, peeled if thick
• 5 spring onions, or 12 scallions
• 3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 8 oz. soft, fresh goat cheese
• 1/4 cup creme fraiche
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp. minced flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tbsp. minced fresh chives
• 2 tsp. minced fresh tarragon
• 3 large eggs

Roll out pie crust on a lightly floured surface to a 12" round. Transfer to a tart pan and press onto bottom and up sides. Bake crust according to package instructions. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Cut off top 1 1/2" of asparagus tips; reserve. Slice stalks into 1/4" round. Cut white bulbs from spring onions; trim and quarter (halve if using scallions). Slice pale-green parts in 1/4" pieces. Toss asparagus tips and spring onion bulbs in a small bowl with 2 tbsp. oil; season with salt and pepper. Place in a single layer on a prepared sheet; roast, turning once, until onions begin to brown and asparagus is bright green and tender, 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp. oil and butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add sliced asparagus and pale-green parts of spring onions; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until onions are soft and asparagus is bright green and tender, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan. Spread evenly over bottom of tart crust.

Whisk cheese and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in eggs. Pour over vegetables in tart crust. Top with scattered asparagus tips and onion bulbs. 

Bake tart until edges of crust are golden brown and filling is set, 20-22 minutes. Let cool in pan for 20 minutes or up to 4 ours.

Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.