Description
Ina Garten’s cream of asparagus soup delivers silky elegance with French culinary precision. Fresh asparagus and rich cream blend into a luxurious starter that brings spring’s delicate flavors directly to your table with remarkable simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) fresh asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream, plus more for garnish
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Freshly chopped chives, for garnish
- Freshly chopped dill, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot and heat it over medium temperature. Melt unsalted butter completely, allowing it to become smooth and golden. Add finely chopped garlic and sauté gently for approximately 60 seconds until aromatic, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Introduce fresh asparagus spears into the melted butter mixture. Season thoroughly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss the vegetables carefully to ensure even coating with the seasoned butter. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring intermittently until asparagus develops a light golden hue and begins softening.
- Pour low-sodium chicken broth into the pot, ensuring the asparagus is predominantly submerged. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then cover with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the mixture to cook for 12 to 14 minutes, maintaining a soft bubbling until asparagus becomes perfectly tender while preserving its vibrant green color.
- Transfer the cooked mixture carefully to a high-powered blender or utilize an immersion blender. If using a standard blender, remember to slightly open the lid to release steam and prevent pressure buildup. Puree the mixture until achieving a silky, uniform consistency with no visible vegetable fragments.
- Return the smooth soup to the pot, placing it over low heat. Gently incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a luxurious texture. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
- Elegantly ladle the warm soup into serving bowls. Enhance presentation by drizzling a small amount of cream on top and generously garnishing with freshly chopped chives and delicate dill fronds. Serve immediately while the soup maintains its optimal temperature and creamy consistency.
Notes
- Discover a culinary secret that transforms ordinary asparagus into an extraordinary creamy soup.
- Seasonal ingredients make this recipe shine, capturing spring’s most delicate vegetable flavors.
- Prepping ingredients quickly ensures maximum freshness and vibrant green color retention.
- Freezing leftovers extends the life of this elegant soup for up to one month without losing quality.
- Kitchen tools like immersion blenders create smooth textures with minimal cleanup effort.
- Pairing with a crisp white wine elevates this simple soup into a gourmet dining experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 173 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 47 mg