CREAM OF ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOM SOUP

Cream of Asparagus and Mushroom Soup image

Provided by Julie Jarrell Bailey

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 13

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1-1/2 to 2 lb fresh asparagus, chopped
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
3.2 oz shitake mushroom*, chopped
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp garlic, minced
3 c chicken broth (use vegetable broth to make this a vegetarian dish)
1 c heavy cream
salt & pepper to taste
1 Tbsp balsamic glaze (optional)
1-1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter
1 dash(es) herbs to garnish, dill weed and basil (optional)
1 tsp sour cream garnish (optional)

Steps:

1. Remove about one-inch bottom of stem then chop the asparagus. Rinse in a colander and allow to drain. Set aside.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in heavy pan over medium-high temperature. Add chopped onion and stir for one or two minutes. Reduce heat to medium, stirring for about three-minutes. Add chopped mushroom*, garlic, salt and pepper, continuing to stir for a few more minutes until onion is tender and translucent (five or six minutes total). [*NOTE: I prefer shitake mushrooms because they have a nice, beefy consistency. However, use your favorite.]
3. Add the asparagus, lemon juice and one-cup of the chicken stock to the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low setting. Cover pot and continue cooking about 15-minutes until asparagus is tender.
4. Add remainder of chicken stock and one-half cup of the heavy cream to the pot. Taste test to determine if you want to add more salt or pepper.
5. Insert immersion blender into mixture and mix until all ingredients are creamy-smooth texture. ADD remainder of heavy cream and stir.
6. Serve hot. OPTIONAL: Garnish with one or more of the following: Dash of dill weed, dash of basil, teaspoon of sour cream, drizzle of balsamic glaze.