Asparagus Bisque Recipes

Steps:

• Bring stock and bay leaves to a boil in a large pot. Cook asparagus until tender and add to stock pot. Melt butter in a separate saucepan and gently saute onions, celery, and carrots (mirepoix) until tender, then gradually add flour (with a non-reactive utensil such as a wooden spoon), and cook until similar to a roux. Transfer to the pot of stock to thicken soup. Let simmer for 45 minutes. Remove bay leaves from soup. *Blend to a puree with an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender or food processor. Add cream to the soup, and keep warm over low heat.
• For the crab "souffle," mix crab, mayonnaise, thyme, salt and pepper, and squeeze of fresh lemon juice, trying to avoid breaking up the lumps of crabmeat. Place a scoop of the crabmeat in the center of soup bowl and ladle the asparagus soup around. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
• *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:

• Bring 4 1/2 cups water, sliced leeks, and 3/4 teaspoon curry powder to boil in medium pot over medium-high heat. Boil 5 minutes. Add asparagus. Reduce heat to medium; cover and simmer until asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly. Set aside 2 tablespoons crème fraîche; stir remaining crème fraîche, 4 tablespoons chopped dill, and 3/4 teaspoon curry powder into soup. Puree in batches in blender until smooth. Strain soup into large bowl. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours, or up to 1 day.
• Divide chilled asparagus bisque among 6 bowls. Top each with 1 teaspoon crème fraîche. Sprinkle with remaining chopped fresh dill and whole pink peppercorns, if desired.

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add shallot, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are tender and just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add chopped asparagus, and cook for 1 minute. Stir in broth and 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer; continue cooking until asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare and ice-water bath. Fill a medium saucepot with water and bring to a boil. Add salt, return to a boil, and add asparagus tips. Cook until just tender. Transfer asparagus tips to ice-water bath; let cool about 1 minute. Drain and set aside.
• Remove from heat; add spinach. Using an immersion blender, puree soup while drizzling in remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Return to heat and cook until heated through; season with salt. Divide soup evenly between 4 bowls, garnish with asparagus tips, and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Peel and devein shrimp (reserving shells).
• Heat shrimp shells, garlic, butter, sherry, and stock in a saucepan and heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes until liquid reduces.
• Strain and set aside.
• Cut raw shrimp into bite size pieces.
• Cut tips off asparagus and reserve. Dice remaining asparagus and potatoes.
• In a large saucepan; add soup, milk, shrimp, asparagus, potatoes, shrimp stock, and Tabasco to taste.
• Simmer on medium low heat for 15 minutes.
• Serve immediately and freeze remainder.

Steps:

• Slice the asparagus tips (about 1- 1 1/2 inches) off the spears and reserve. Slice the asparagus spears into thin slices.
• In a large soup pot, combine all the ingredients except the crab and the asparagus. Add 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper.
• Bring to a simmer, then let the vegetables soften and the flavors meld for about 10 minutes. DO NOT allow the liquid to boil at this time.
• Make the roux: add the butter to a sautee pan under medium heat; when the butter has melted, add the flour, mix until the flour has cooked but retains a light color (about 5-7 minutes).
• NOTE: any extra roux can be frozen and used at a later time.
• Puree the liquid and vegetables, preferably using an immersion blender. If you must use a stand blender (or food processor), put in small batches (no more than 1/3-1/2 the volume of the blender container), so you don't send hot liquid all around and burn yourself.
• Strain through a chinois (china cap) or through cheesecloth.
• Return the liquid to the soup pot, bring to a boil, and thicken with the roux. Turn the heat down so the liquid simmers but does not boil. Adjust seasonging (salt and pepper) as needed.
• Add the crab and heat for 20-30 minutes.
• Add the asparagus slices (but NOT the tips) to the soup, allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning (salt and pepper) as needed.
• Plate into individual soup bowls, garnish with asparagus tips. Serve hot.

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.