Asparagus Soup With Tartines Recipes

Steps:

• Break off bottom part of each asparagus stalk, and discard. Coarsely chop the rest of stalks, leaving 12 or 16 of the flower ends whole. Put butter or oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. A minute later, add asparagus and tarragon, raise heat to high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Remove whole flower ends; set aside.
• Add stock and some salt and pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until asparagus is very tender, about 10 minutes. Cool at least a few minutes.
• Pour soup into a blender, in batches if necessary, and carefully purée. Return to pan, and, over medium-low heat, reheat gently. When soup is hot, adjust seasoning. Put 3 or 4 asparagus flower ends in each of 4 bowls; ladle in soup, and serve.

Steps:

• Saute 1 chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme in 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium-high heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 2 pounds asparagus (trimmed and chopped), 1 1/2 cups each water and chicken broth and a big pinch of salt. Simmer until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Working in batches, puree in a blender. Return to the pot, whisk in 1/2 cup crème fraiche and warm through (do not boil). Season with salt and pepper. Top with more creme fraiche and chopped chives.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, soften the onions in the butter. Meanwhile, trim about 5cm off the ends of 16 of your thinnest asparagus spears and set these aside. Roughly chop the remaining asparagus and stir into the onions. Cook for a few mins, then tip in the stock. Cover and boil for 10 mins, then uncover, stir in the peas and cook for 2 mins more.
• Whizz the soup with a blender until smooth, then return to the pan. Season well and add a splash more water if it looks a little thick.
• Meanwhile, cook the reserved asparagus tips in boiling water until just cooked, then drain and dry on kitchen paper.
• When you're ready to serve, warm the soup gently. Brush the baguette slices with the hazelnut oil and toast, then spread with some goat's cheese and top with a couple of the asparagus tips, plus a sprinkling of hazelnuts. Ladle the soup into bowls, float a toast on each with a few pea shoots and drizzle with a little more hazelnut oil. Serve extra toasts on the side.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine asparagus, chopped onion, and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer uncovered until asparagus is tender, about 12 minutes. Process the mixture in a blender to puree the vegetables. Set aside.
• In the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Whisk in the remaining chicken broth, and increase the heat to medium. Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture boils. Stir in the asparagus puree and the milk.
• Put the sour cream in a small bowl, and stir in a ladleful of the hot soup. Add the sour cream mixture and the lemon juice to the soup. Stir while heating the soup to serving temperature, but don't allow it to boil. Serve immediately.