Cream Of Asparagus Soup Recipe 455

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan; season with 2 teaspoons salt. Add asparagus tips and blanch until bright green and just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath with a slotted spoon; reserve for topping. Add trimmings, 1/2 shallot and 1/2 clove garlic to the same pot and return to a boil; reduce heat and simmer the asparagus stock 20 to 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
• In another saucepan, heat olive oil over medium. Add sliced shallot and chopped garlic and cook until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in potato and enough of the asparagus stock to cover the vegetables (about 1 cup), and simmer until the potato is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Strain remaining asparagus stock directly into saucepan with the potatoes. Add remaining asparagus and cook until tender and bright green, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Puree in a blender until completely smooth; remove 1 cup and reserve. Slowly stir in cream, and season to taste with salt and pepper; thin with reserved liquid as needed. Serve hot or chilled, topped with asparagus tips and a drizzle of oil.

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and saute 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add asparagus and saute another 4 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 30 minutes, until asparagus is very tender. *Carefully transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Return to saucepan, stir in sour cream and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to serving bowls. Dust with paprika and serve.
• *When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

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:

• Melt butter in a stockpot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add asparagus and bone broth; cover and simmer until asparagus is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
• Stir in cream, Marsala wine, lemon zest, salt, Aleppo pepper, and black pepper until well blended. Return to low heat and simmer (do not boil) until flavors are mixed and soup is hot, about 5 minutes.
• Ladle into bowls. Garnish with sour cream and croutons.

Steps:

• Soak and rinse asparagus.
• Remove top 1 inch of each spear, discard tough lower part, and reserve middle portion of stalks.
• In a 3-quart saucepan, over medium heat, sauté onion in butter for 3 to 5 minutes or until translucent.
• Add chicken stock, asparagus tips and stems, potato, celery, thyme, and pepper.
• Cover and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Remove asparagus tips and set aside.
• Place half of the soup at a time in a blender container.
• Cover and blend at high speed for 20 to 30 seconds or until very smooth.
• Pass through a fine sieve and return blended soup to saucepan.
• Add reserved asparagus tips and cream (or half and half, or milk) and heat thoroughly, or refrigerate to be served cold.
• Be sure to adjust the seasoning after you add the cream (or half& half, or milk), especially if you plan to serve it cold.