The asparagus season is short so enjoy it now with this simple creamy asparagus quiche recipe with a touch of ricotta. It's perfect to bring on a picnic and pack in a lunch box. Kids will love making them and eating them.

INGREDIENTS:

• Asparagus (1 bunch)

• Eggs (3)

• Ricotta cheese (3 tablespoons)

• Grated parmesan (1 handful)

• Nutmeg (a pinch)

• Salt (a pinch)

• Pepper (a pinch)

Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and other popular grocery stores all carry great pie crusts if you want to make it really simple. If you are making the pie crust yourself, add:

• Flour (2 cups)

• Butter (⅔ cups, room temperature)

• Salt (a pinch)

• Water (5 tablespoons)

ACCESSORIES:

1 muffin pan, 1 mixing bowl, 1 paring knife, 1 grater, 1 pan and steam basket, 1 cutting board, 1 glass.

Optional: 1 blender, 1 rolling pin

MAKE IT:

STEPS		KID-FRIENDLY
1	Preheat oven to 420F.
2	Prep the asparagus: rinse thoroughly, discarding the ends and cut into 1/2 inch pieces.	Snap-off the ends of the asparagus.
3	Steam the asparagus for 7 minutes.
4	Optional: for picky eaters, blend the asparagus.
5	Make the pie crust:Mix 2 cups of flour with ⅔ cup softened butter, 5 tablespoons of water and a pinch of salt.	Mix the flour, butter, water and a pinch of salt.
6	Knead dough and strech it out with a rolling pin.	Use the rolling pan to stretch the dough.
7	Press a glass to the pie crust to make 8 little disks. Insert those into a greased muffin pan.	Press a glass to the pie crust to make 8 little disks. Insert those into a greased muffin pan.
8	Bake for 10 minutes.
9	While the pie shells bake, mix the asparagus with 2 tablespoons of ricotta cheese, 3 eggs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.	Mix the asparagus, ricotta cheese, 3 eggs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
10	Pour the mix into the pie shells.	Pour the mix into the pie shells.
11	Take the muffin pan out of the oven and pour the mixture in the pie shells.
12	Add a handful of grated parmesan cheese.	Add a handful of grated parmesan cheese.
13	Bake for 20 minutes.

1. Why asparagus is great for kids:

Asparagus is rich in vitamins K, C,B, and A, and a great source of folic acid. Eating asparagus is great for vision and good for strengthening blood vessels.

2. When and where to find asparagus:

Asparagus is at its peak in April-May. In the United States, California, Washington, Michigan, Illinois and New Jersey are the main growing regions. China, Peru, Mexico and Germany produce the most asparagus across the world.

3. How to pick the best asparagus:

Look for bright green or violet spears (no yellow tint) with firm (not limp) stems. Fresh asparagus will have moist stalks,not dry or cracked.

4. Serving tip:

A great and easy way to serve asparagus is to drizzle a little olive oil and salt before roasting them in the oven (425F) for 12-15 minutes.