CREAM ASPARAGUS RECIPES

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and saute 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add asparagus and saute another 4 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 30 minutes, until asparagus is very tender. *Carefully transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Return to saucepan, stir in sour cream and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to serving bowls. Dust with paprika and serve.
• *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:

• Soak and rinse asparagus.
• Remove top 1 inch of each spear, discard tough lower part, and reserve middle portion of stalks.
• In a 3-quart saucepan, over medium heat, sauté onion in butter for 3 to 5 minutes or until translucent.
• Add chicken stock, asparagus tips and stems, potato, celery, thyme, and pepper.
• Cover and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Remove asparagus tips and set aside.
• Place half of the soup at a time in a blender container.
• Cover and blend at high speed for 20 to 30 seconds or until very smooth.
• Pass through a fine sieve and return blended soup to saucepan.
• Add reserved asparagus tips and cream (or half and half, or milk) and heat thoroughly, or refrigerate to be served cold.
• Be sure to adjust the seasoning after you add the cream (or half& half, or milk), especially if you plan to serve it cold.