
Crispy Parmesan Spoons with Lemon Artichoke Cream, Sautéed Asparagus and Toasted Hazelnut
An original appetizer built on contrast and texture: crisp baked Parmesan spoons filled with a silky lemon artichoke cream, topped with sautéed asparagus and toasted hazelnuts. Elegant, flavorful, and perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients
- 120 g finely grated Parmesan cheese (for the cucharitas crujientes)
- 200 g canned artichoke hearts, drained (well escurridos)
- 120 g cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 60 g plain Greek yogurt (for aligerar the cream)
- 1 unit lemon, finely zested (solo the zest)
- 15 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 clove garlic (chopped)
- 22 ml olive oil (divided)
- 150 g green asparagus (en rodajitas finas, puntas reservadas whole si son small)
- 35 g toasted hazelnuts (chopped gruesas)
- 8 g fresh chives (chopped fino)
- 1 g black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 g salt (or to taste)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- 2
Make 8 small mounds with the grated Parmesan on the tray and flatten them into thin circles about 3 inches wide. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes at 200 °C / 400 °F, until melted and golden around the edges.
- 3
Remove the tray from the oven, let it rest for 30 to 45 seconds, and while the cheese is still flexible, drape each round over the back of a wooden spoon or small molds to create a curved spoon shape. Let cool completely until crisp.
- 4
While they cool, make the cream. In a food processor or blending cup, combine the drained artichoke hearts, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and thick.
- 5
Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until tender but still bright. Stir in half of the chopped chives and cook 15 seconds more. Remove from the heat.
- 6
Fill each crispy Parmesan spoon with a small amount of lemon artichoke cream.
- 7
Top each piece with some sautéed asparagus and finish with chopped toasted hazelnuts and the remaining chives.
- 8
Serve immediately to preserve the contrast between the crisp base, the creamy filling, and the warm topping.
Chef tips
If you want to work ahead, prepare the cream and topping a few hours in advance and assemble the spoons just before serving. For a more uniform shape, use a circular template when portioning the Parmesan.
Substitutions
You can substitute the hazelnuts with walnuts or almonds if you do not need to avoid other tree nuts. Greek yogurt can be replaced with more cream cheese for a richer texture. The asparagus can be swapped for small-diced sautéed zucchini.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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