Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro
Garnish this delicious and creamy soup with thin asparagus spears for a graceful presentation. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth.
How to Make It
Step 1
Combine asparagus, broth, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, bay leaf, and garlic in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Place asparagus mixture in a blender; process until smooth.
Step 2
Place flour in pan. Gradually add the milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Add puréed asparagus and ground nutmeg; stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/4 teaspoon thyme, butter, salt, and lemon rind.
Step 3
Cream of Carrot Soup: Substitute 2 cups baby carrots for asparagus. Omit bay leaf. Yield 4 servings (serving size: 1 cup).
Step 4
CALORIES 112 (28% from fat); FAT 5g (sat 2g, mono 8g, poly 2g); PROTEIN 7g; CARB 4g; FIBER 1g; CHOL 13mg; IRON 6mg; SODIUM 765mg; CALC 152mg
Step 5
Cream of Leek Soup: Substitute 3 cups sliced leek for asparagus. Substitute 3/4 teaspoon rosemary for thyme. Omit bay leaf.
Step 6
CALORIES 131 (23% from fat); FAT 4g (sat 2g, mono 8g, poly 2g); PROTEIN 3g; CARB 3g; FIBER 3g; CHOL 13mg; IRON 5mg; SODIUM 759mg; CALC 178mg
Suze02's Review