Cream of Asparagus soup is a great way to use up misshapen bundles of Asparagus as misshapen bundles cost less than picture perfect ones, so you can save money too. This soup is lovely in early spring, when asparagus is in season, and also makes a lovely cold soup on a warm summers' day.
British asparagus soup is best during the brief but splendid British Asparagus Season which runs from late April to late June.
British asparagus soup is best during the brief but splendid British Asparagus Season which runs from late April to late June.
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 bundles green or white asparagus, trimmed
- 1 leek, washed and trimmed
- ½ stick/50g Butter
- 1 pint/400ml vegetable (or chicken stock for a non vegetarian soup)
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 medium eggs, poached
Preparation:
Serves 4
When poaching the eggs put them into boiling salted water with a dash of vinegar as this helps to keep the egg together. The eggs can be poached in advanced and placed into a bowl of cold water then when the eggs are required they can be dropped back into boiling water.
- Cut the asparagus into 1"/3cm lengths. Reserve the tips and set aside.
- Halve the leek lengthwise and cut into ½"/1 cm pieces.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the leek and asparagus. Sauté for 3 minutes, until the vegetables are starting to soften. Add the stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, until the asparagus is soft and cooked through.
- Blend the soup in a food processor or with a hand blender, until smooth. Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper and return to the pan. Add the double cream and warm through.
- Meanwhile, toss the asparagus tips in the olive oil, and heat a ridged griddle pan. Griddle the asparagus for 2 minutes. Serve the soup in warmed soup bowls if eating warm, or leave to cool if wanting to serve cold. Top each bowl with a lightly poached egg and some asparagus tips.
When poaching the eggs put them into boiling salted water with a dash of vinegar as this helps to keep the egg together. The eggs can be poached in advanced and placed into a bowl of cold water then when the eggs are required they can be dropped back into boiling water.
