Bonnies Asparagus Soup Recipe 465

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a medium bowl with salted ice water. Working in 2 batches, add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook until just tender, about 4 minutes per batch. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the asparagus to the bowl of ice water. Drain. Reserve 7 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.
• Thinly slice 18 of the asparagus tips on the diagonal and reserve for a garnishing the soup. Chop the remaining asparagus spears into small pieces.
• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 12 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 2 minutes more.
• Pour in the reserved asparagus cooking liquid and bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Tie the parsley, thyme, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the soup. Lower the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir in the chopped asparagus and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• Remove and discard the herb bundle. Working in batches, transfer the asparagus mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Using a sieve over a large bowl, strain the asparagus soup. Return the puree to the pot and reheat over medium heat.
• Whisk the heavy cream, vermouth, and salt into the soup and season with pepper. Divide among warm soup bowls, sprinkle each soup with the reserved asparagus tips, and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually mix in canned chicken broth. Bring mixture to boil. Add asparagus pieces and summer savory and simmer until asparagus is very tender, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Drain asparagus, reserving cooking liquid. Puree asparagus in food processor. With machine running, Gradually add 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return mixture to saucepan. Season with salt and pepper. (Soup can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Bring soup to simmer. Ladle into bowls. Top with dollops of sour cream or yogurt, if desired.

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:

• 1. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and spray with olive oil Pam.
• 2. Tip: Instead of cutting the large end off with a knife, bend the asparagus and it will snap off and leave just the tender part of the asparagus. Don't throw away the ends . Save them frozen in a ziplock for soup. If you cook them until tender, they make a wonderful soup. Blanch the asparagus for 1 minute, then plunge into an ice water bath. This helps the asparagus to stay beautifully green.
• 3. Drain the asparagus on a tea towel.
• 4. Use bacon, prosciutto, or thin deli ham. I used whipped cream cheese and chives, or it is also good with plain whipped cream cheese. Whipped cream cheese is easier to handle than the solid brick of cream cheese.
• 5. I used bacon for my wrapped asparagus. Separate the bacon slices and place between paper towels, and microwave the slices for only one minute. Remove and let cool. This warms the bacon, partially cooks it, and makes it easier to handle. It is also lower in calories.
• 6. Use three asparagus to a bundle. With a knife add about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese and chives to the center of each asparagus bundle and wrap with a strip of prosciutto or deli ham. Tie with a green onion bow if you wish.
• 7. Here is how they look wrapped with whipped cream cheese in the middle. Spray both the foil-lined baking sheet, as well as tops of finished bundles with Pam olive oil kitchen spray. (This keeps them from drying out)
• 8. Bake 15 minutes or until asparagus is tender and bacon or prosciutto is nicely browned. I used cracked black pepper to sprinkle on the fresh cooked bundles. Enjoy! These lovely spears came from our garden!
• 9. The final result!
• 10. Mmmmmm take a bite!
• 11. Let's eat!

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 4-6 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add asparagus and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 8-10 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Transfer to a blender; cover and process until smooth., In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons flour and 1/4 cup milk until smooth; set aside. In same saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Stir in seasonings and remaining flour until smooth; cook and stir 45-60 seconds or until light golden brown. Gradually whisk in cream, remaining milk and reserved flour mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in wine, lemon juice and asparagus mixture; heat through. If desired, top each serving with chives.