Clearly no local asparagus was harmed in the making of this soup. I had to rely on Mexico’s finest. I used leeks instead of onions as my allium choice. I prefer their gentler flavour profile for this soup.
Sautee leeks and a touch of garlic.
I opted for vegetable stock over chicken as I really wanted to let the flavours of the vegetables to shine through. Frozen peas are perfect for this.
Puree the soup in the blender. After that, I am asking you, very nicely, to please strain the soup through a wire mesh sieve. Asparagus is a very fibrous vegetable. Straining it will give you the most velvety texture.
I made some toasted breadcrumbs to sprinkle on top of the soup, I love a bit of crunch with smooth soups. When you are cutting up the asparagus, save the tips. Blanch them in boiling water and use them as a pretty garnish. A drizzle of cream or some really fruity extra-virgin olive oil is a beautiful way to finish this soup.
Click here to print recipe for Green Spring Soup (Asparagus and Green Pea Soup_.
These photos are truly wonderful. The bowls of soup are stunning. I need to paint your food! (You can see how I interpret food with my paintings at http://www.michellemarcotte.com). Also, please consider a show of your food photography at the Good Eats Cafe’s new gallery expected to open this summer at its new location at 473 Albert St, between Bay and Bronson. My sister Karen is the new owner of Good Eats and I will be managing the gallery (about 45 linear feet of space, well lit, professional gallery hanging hardware). If you are at all interested – or know artists who might be interested in inexpensive exhibit space in downtown Ottawa at a hip cafe, please write me at marcotteconsulting@gmail.com and I will send you the call for artists. Artists have to hang and remove their own show, the cost is $50 per month (each show is expected to be about a month), and no commission on sales. 473 Albert is a newly renovated 8 story office building, and Good Eats will have a large ground floor cafe space with street and building access.
Thanks Michelle! I am excited to check out Good Eats. I didn’t know you had another sister besides Anne. Don’t think I am quite ready to show my photos in a gallery, but i am looking forward to visiting. Sounds like an exciting venture.
LOVE the letter…Spring hasn’t arrived in Toronto yet either….not sure where its gone…I also hope it comes soon. Spring + Fall are my two favourite seasons. Soup recipe sounds delicious. I just printed it out and am going to make it next week. Yum!