CREAMY ASPARAGUS SOUP FROM COOK'S COUNTRY RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Creamy Asparagus Soup from Cook's Country Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by Foodiewife

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pounds asparagus (see note), stem ends trimmed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 small leeks , white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise and sliced thin
Salt and pepper
3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Steps:

Cut tips off asparagus spears and chop stalks into 1/2-inch pieces. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add asparagus tips and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 2 minutes. Set aside. Add remaining butter and asparagus, leeks, 1/2 tablespoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper to empty pot and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Add broth to pot and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in peas and Parmesan. Puree soup in blender** in 2 batches and return to pot. **NOTE: I always use an immersion blender to puree my soups right in the pot-- so much easier and less cleanup. Stir in cream, lemon juice, and asparagus tips, and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve. (Soup can be refrigerated in airtight container for 2 days.)