Asparagus soup–(without photos!)

May 21, 2013 by Robin Ellis

Guests are arriving for lunch.

We are hoping to eat outside shaded from the May sunshine (ha! ha!) by the new parasol.

No chance!

However…

Yesterday I made a soup from half a kilo of asparagus, as an experiment–keen to find something different to do with it during the season.

It is raining today and cold–time for soup?

Meredith tasted it this morning–

Just enough for five–she said–it’ll warm everyone up on a chilly day!

We could have some roasted spears on the side–I said.

YES!– she said

and no need for a sauce!–I said, always looking to cut down the workload!

2 leeks–cleaned and chopped roughly

1tbsp olive oil

1lb/450gm asparagus–the tough ends removed, chopped roughly

1 litre/2 pints stock–I use organic vegetable stock cubes

1 tbsp fresh tarragon–chopped fine

salt and pepper

1 tbsp creme fraiche

Sweat the leeks in the olive oil over a gentle heat, in a covered saucepan–five minutes.
Add the asparagus and stock.
Bring to a simmer and cook until the asparagus is just tender.
Season carefully.
Liquidize–best done with a hand held stick liquidizer (if you have one).
Fold in the creme fraiche and tarragon.
Gently reheat to serve–with roasted spears on the side if you like.

ps–off to Italy tomorrow for a short break, a change of scenery and a recharging of the culinary batteries?

Ciao!!

on May 21, 2013 at 6:22 pm | Reply Gerda de Haan

Haha! Love you sarcasm about the May sunshine. It’s quite, well..ehm….bad over here, too! Have fun and lots of sun, sun, sun in Italy! Take care!
Gerda
on May 21, 2013 at 6:26 pm | Reply sue

I’ve bookmarked this. Asparagus is in season here now and there’s some lovely leeks about too. And since no one has told the weather that it’s supposed to be late May, this will be a lovely soup for a chilly day.
on May 21, 2013 at 7:34 pm | Reply Chantal

Have a good trip to Italia Robin & Meredith and send some sun to Belgium Please….Happy landings overthere & come safe back.Hughs xxx.
on May 21, 2013 at 8:06 pm | Reply julia young

Happy holidays both xx
on May 21, 2013 at 9:30 pm | Reply Helen Hargest

Buone Vacanze to you both. Send some warmth and sunshine to the UK please!
on May 22, 2013 at 5:51 am | Reply shirley lane

Have a wonderful time gorgeous!
on May 22, 2013 at 8:18 am | Reply heidi kershaw

Is rain normal for South of France this time of year?
Climate change?
Here in England, more than 8,000 sheep died on Isle of Man in snow drifts a few weeks ago—-freak weather conditions.
on May 22, 2013 at 4:21 pm | Reply Virginia

Have a great trip. Oh yes, the sun is shining brilliantly here in Delaware. Have fun.
on May 22, 2013 at 4:56 pm | Reply Barb

Have a lovely time in Italy.