Spring Asparagus Soup With Lemon Creme Fraiche 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:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus and coriander; stir 1 minute. Add vegetable broth and simmer until asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly. Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Strain into same pan, pressing on solids to release liquid. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
• Stir crème fraîche, lemon juice, and lemon peel in small bowl. Divide soup among bowls. Top with dollop of lemon crème fraîche and serve.

Steps:

• Saute 1 chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme in 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium-high heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 2 pounds asparagus (trimmed and chopped), 1 1/2 cups each water and chicken broth and a big pinch of salt. Simmer until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Working in batches, puree in a blender. Return to the pot, whisk in 1/2 cup crème fraiche and warm through (do not boil). Season with salt and pepper. Top with more creme fraiche and chopped chives.

Steps:

• To blanch asparagus:.
• Bring pot of water to rolling boil add steamer basket. Add asparagus stalks. Cover and cook for 5 minutes but still bright green. Immediately transfer to bowl of ice water to stop cooking.
• To make soup:.
• When asparagus is cold remove from water. Cut into large chunks. Place in blender. Add enough cold chicken stock to cover stalks. Add pepper, blend until mixture is thin puree. Continuing to blend, add olive oil in steady stream.
• Blend in 1/4 cup creme fraiche. Strain soup through a fine-mesh strainer into large pot. Set aside.
• To make lemon creme fraiche:.
• In medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup creme fraiche, lemon zest and lemon juice. Using wire whisk, whip until thickened. Set aside.
• To serve soup:.
• Warm soup over medium heat until it bubbles. Ladle into bowls. Top with lemon creme fraiche and radish matchsticks. Serve immediately.
• *Variation: Serve soup cold with lump of crab meat in each bowl.

Steps:

• In a 4-quart pan, melt butter.
• Add onion and cook just until soft and golden; do not brown.
• Add chicken stock and bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, cut 3 inches of tips off asparagus and set aside.
• In food processor or blender or by hand, slice remaining asparagus into ¼-inch pieces.
• Drop pieces into boiling broth. Cover and simmer until very soft, about 30 minutes.
• Cool for 10 minutes, and then puree soup in blender or processor.
• Return soup to pan.
• Add asparagus tips and simmer until just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in cream.
• Season with salt and pepper and a drop or two of lemon juice.
• Serve warm or cold.

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add shallots; saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add asparagus and corander; stir 1 minute.
• Add broth; simmer until asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Cool slightly.
• Either work in batches and puree soup in blender or use and immersion blender in same pot.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Stir creme fraiche, lemon juice and lemon peel in small bowl.
• Ladle soup into bowls, top with dollop of lemon creme fraiche.

Steps:

• In a 2-qt. saucepan, saute the onion and celery in butter until tender. Combine cornstarch and water; stir into the saucepan with bouillon. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Add asparagus. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 3-4 minutes. , Stir in the milk, lemon zest, nutmeg and seasoned salt. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add asparagus; cook, covered, until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain; place in a large bowl. Add tomatoes; cover and keep warm. , Place vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, onion, salt and paprika in a blender; cover and process until smooth. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Toss with asparagus mixture. Top with almonds and, if desired, cheese.