Description
Silky cream of asparagus soup transforms seasonal spring produce into a luxurious culinary experience. French-inspired techniques elevate this elegant dish with velvety texture and refined flavors you will savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) fresh asparagus (woody ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups (710 ml) vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (or coconut milk for a dairy-free option)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Sour cream or yogurt (for garnish)
- Croutons (for garnish)
- Chopped fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat, creating a rich, flavorful base for the soup.
- Flavor Development: Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent, releasing their intense aromatics and building depth of flavor.
- Vegetable Integration: Add asparagus pieces to the pot, stirring occasionally and allowing them to soften and meld with the existing flavors.
- Liquid Infusion: Pour vegetable broth into the pot, bringing to a boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the asparagus to tenderize completely.
- Textural Transformation: Use an immersion blender or carefully transfer to a standard blender, puréeing the mixture until achieving a silky-smooth consistency.
- Creamy Enhancement: Stir in heavy cream and a delicate touch of nutmeg, simmering briefly to marry the flavors and create a luxurious, velvety texture.
- Final Refinement: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Elegant Presentation: Ladle the creamy soup into serving bowls, garnishing with optional herbs or a drizzle of cream, and serve alongside crusty bread or crisp crackers for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Chop Asparagus Uniformly: Cut asparagus into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Control Blending Technique: Blend carefully to achieve a silky smooth consistency without over-processing, which can make the soup too thin or stringy.
- Adjust Cream Sensitivity: Add cream gradually and taste to prevent overwhelming the delicate asparagus flavor, allowing the vegetable’s natural essence to shine.
- Optimize Temperature Balance: Simmer gently after adding cream to prevent separation and maintain a rich, creamy texture without scorching.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg