Do you ever have one of those nights where you think that you are going to whip up something quickly and over an hour later with a kitchen that could qualify as as a federal disaster area, you wonder what the heck happened? That was my night.
My intentions were to use up a beautiful bunch of asparagus and incorporate some of my fresh herbs. I have been neglecting my herb garden a bit which I know is reaching its final days with the quickly cooling weather. After a bit of searching, I settled upon this recipe.
Once you read the recipe below, you may wonder why I encountered such difficulty since it seems relatively easy. I think that exhaustion from a long day and a blender with a loose lid (yikes…hot soup shower) were a few of the hurdles in making this recipe quickly and painlessly.
Despite my slight struggles in the kitchen, I will make this recipe again and again as it was perhaps the best asparagus soup I have eaten. The fresh basil cream was such a perfect combination and it looked so beautiful in the bowl!
Asparagus Soup with Basil Cream
from Gourmet Magazine, April 1995
3 pounds asparagus, ends and tips cut off and reserved separately
and stalks cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
2 1/2 cups water
2 medium onions, chopped fine
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups chicken broth
For basil cream:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
In a small saucepan simmer reserved asparagus ends in water, covered, 15 minutes. Remove and discard asparagus ends with slotted spoon and bring water to a boil. This adds flavor to the water. Add reserved asparagus tips and cook, uncovered, over high heat until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer asparagus tips with slotted spoon to a colander, reserving cooking liquid, and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain tips well.
In a 4-quart heavy saucepan cook onions in butter with salt and pepper to taste over moderate heat, stirring until pale golden. Add asparagus stalk pieces, broth, and reserved cooking liquid and simmer, covered, 15 minutes, or until asparagus pieces are tender.
Basil cream
Make basil cream while soup simmers: In a small saucepan bring cream to a boil and stir in basil and salt. Cook mixture over high heat, stirring, until basil is wilted, about 5 to 10 seconds, and in a blender purée mixture. Return basil cream to small saucepan and keep warm.
Purée soup in cleaned blender in small batches and return to 4-quart saucepan, thinning with water if desired. Season soup with salt and pepper and heat over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Divide soup among 6 bowls and add asparagus tips, arranging them decoratively. Drizzle basil cream over each serving.
Makes about 7 cups.
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September 14th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Get yourself an immersion blender, sweetie! They are great if you love creamy pureed soups all winter, like I do.
September 17th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I love making asparagus soup! I put more fat in the base for my big butt
(a dash of heavy cream) and a grind of nutmeg for contrast. a couple sprigs of mint is faboulicsious too!
some lamb on the side???
a nice Vouvray… hey hey
September 25th, 2007 at 1:54 am
That sounds like every night for me! Every time I want to whip up something quick, I end up changing everything and making it 10 times more complicated
My specialty is getting every bowl, pot and pan dirty! Luckily my husband is good about helping me clean up 
The soup sounds great! Now I want some green soup but I don’t have asparagus so I might settle for spinach!
December 30th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
[…] I always love a good food blog to inspire me to create new and fantastic foods. Whipped is one of those sites. I will be on the prowl for other great food blogs in 2008 which offer healthy and wholesome food choices. And of course, adding my own gourmet homemade concoctions. For a soupy start to the new year try this great looking asparagus soup from whipped. […]