Cream of Asparagus Soup

Description

This soup is a healthy and nutritious addition for events, feasts, or even just for fun. The asparagus flavor is typically much more mild in soup than raw, so it's easier to consume without heavy feelings of disgust. One tip to make it more likeable is to add bacon bits to taste. This can be a great way to entice picky eaters, or to relieve the cravings of those on a diet.

Cream of Asparagus can serve as a warm and hearty comfort food during the winter months, or even during sick days. It's a great way to both practice cooking, and replenish after a hard day of work. It can even be used to grow more accustomed to eating vegetables, creating a smoother and more mild transition with its gentle flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs fresh asparagus (trimmed & divided)
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup sweet onion
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 cups vegetable broth OR chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
• 1 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Peel 5 of the asparagus, transferring strips into bowl. Cover with water and ice, set aside until further on.
2. Cut remaining asparagus into pieces ~1 inch long.
3. Heat oil in large pot on medium heat.
4. Add onion, stir frequently for ~5 minutes or until soft.
5. Add chopped asparagus and garlic, stirring frequently for ~1 min.
6. Add broth, salt and pepper. over a medium heat, lower to a simmer.
7. Simmer and leave for ~12 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in tarragon.
8. Pour soup into blender, securing lid and removing center piece for heat to escape.
9. Place clean towel over opening, processing for ~1 min.
10. Pour soup back into pot, adding cream and stirring. Garnish with asparagus strips.