Silky Cream Of Asparagus Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Cut tips from 12 asparagus 1 1/2 inches from top and halve tips lengthwise if thick. Reserve for garnish.
• Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Add asparagus pieces and salt and pepper to taste, then cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 5 cups broth and simmer, covered, until asparagus is very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• While soup simmers, cook reserved asparagus tips in boiling salted water until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain.
• Purée soup in batches in a blender until smooth, transferring to a bowl (use caution when blending hot liquids), and return to pan. Stir in crème fraîche, then add more broth to thin soup to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil and whisk in remaining tablespoon butter.
• Add lemon juice and garnish with asparagus tips.

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.

Steps:

• Wash asparagus, remove tips and any hard (woody) stem at the base.
• Simmer the tips in a small sauce pan using just enough milk to cover them.
• Simmer approximately 5 minutes until tender, set aside and keep warm.
• Cut tender stalks into 2" piecesand place in a medium sauce pan.
• Add stock, onion and celery; simmer covered for 30 minutes.
• Remove from heat and liquify in a blender in small batches.
• Melt butter in a small sauce pan, whisk in flour, stiring constantly to avoid burning.
• Slowly stir in the cream.
• Add the cream mixture to the asparagus stock and heat to thicken.
• Add asparagus tips discarding the milk.
• Season with salt, paprika and white peper to taste.

Steps:

• For the soup: Place a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the onions, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the asparagus and cook for 1 minute.
• Pound the lemongrass with a meat mallet or rolling pin until well bruised (to release the flavor). Stir in the broth and lemongrass and simmer until the asparagus is tender, about 10 minutes. Discard the lemongrass and stir in the parsley.
• Turn off the heat and puree the soup with an immersion blender. Stir in the coconut milk and peas and cook over medium heat until warmed through, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with fresh lemon zest and the Asparagus Salsa if desired just before serving.
• For the asparagus salsa: Place the asparagus, carrots, radishes and red onions in a food processor and pulse a few times until the vegetables are finely diced but not pureed.
• Transfer to a large bowl and add the dill, scallions, serrano chile, lemon zest and juice. Mix together well, season to taste with salt and pepper and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop if time allows. The salsa can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Makes 2 cups.