Fort Towson

Chilled asparagus soup with crème fraîche and pink peppercorn
Asparagus is a main ingredient in cream of asparagus soup.

Cream of asparagus soup is a soup prepared with asparagus, stock and milk or cream as primary ingredients.

Ingredient variations exist. Cream of asparagus soup may be served hot or cold,[1] and the soup may be finished with various garnishes such as chives, crème fraîche and sour cream.

Ingredients and preparation methods

Asparagus, a light chicken or vegetable stock and milk or cream are primary ingredients.[2] The cooked asparagus may be puréed or pulped in its preparation,[1][2] and some preparations may combine both puréed and solid forms of asparagus, such as cooked asparagus tips.[3] Puréed versions may be strained through a sieve to remove stray stringy asparagus matter.[1] The use of thick pieces of asparagus can enhance the flavor of puréed versions of cream of asparagus soup,[4] as can the use of fresh asparagus while it is in season (during spring).[5][6]

It may be thickened using a roux, and some versions may omit milk and use extra stock, along with additional roux to thicken the soup.[2] It may be served garnished with cooked asparagus tips,[3][5] croutons,[7] sour cream, crème fraîche,[1] herbs such as chives, parsley and tarragon,[4] and other foods. Cold versions may contain cream stirred into the soup prior to serving, or may be topped with sour cream.[1]

Additional ingredients in its preparation may include half and half, light cream,[4] evaporated milk, onion, garlic, lemon juice,[7] celery, salt, pepper,[5] leeks[6] and herbs such as basil and parsley.[8] Cheese may add flavor and thickness to the soup in versions that omit cream[3] or milk. Sometimes rice is added.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Child, Julia (September 1993). The Way to Cook. pp. 10–11. ISBN 9780679747659. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c A Complete Course in Canning. 1906.
  3. ^ a b c Segal, Jennifer (April 24, 2013). "Creamless Cream of Asparagus Soup". Huffington Post. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Westmoreland, Susan (2007). The Good Housekeeping Cookbook. p. 47. ISBN 9781588165619. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  5. ^ a b c DeBenedetto, Nora Martinez (April 24, 2013). "Cream of Asparagus Soup: More Ideas for This Seasonal Vegetable". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  6. ^ a b Golden, John (May 1, 2014). "Make the most of a short asparagus season". Maine Today. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  7. ^ a b Watchers, Weight (13 February 2006). Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook. p. 136. ISBN 9780764573507. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  8. ^ "Vegan Recipe: Cream of Asparagus Soup". Vegan Magazine. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  9. ^ "Cream" of Asparagus Soup, February 2006, archived from the original on October 24, 2014, retrieved September 25, 2014

External links