GLOSSY YELLOW PEPPER SOUP WITH ASPARAGUS GARNISH

Glossy Yellow Pepper Soup with Asparagus Garnish image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

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8 ounces asparagus, preferably large stalks with tight heads, for garnish
2 1/2 cups water
3 yellow peppers (1 1/3 pounds), halved, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large potato (9 ounces), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion (9 ounces), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

Peel the lower third of the asparagus stalks, and discard the trimmings. Cut the asparagus on the bias into slices about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. (You should have about 1 1/2 cups.) Bring 1/2 cup of the water to a boil in a saucepan, and add the asparagus pieces. Bring the water back to a boil, and boil the asparagus for 30 seconds. Drain, reserving the cooking juices, and set the cooked asparagus pieces aside in a bowl.
Place the yellow peppers, potato, onion, garlic, salt, sugar, and pepper in a large saucepan, and add the remaining 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, add the reserved asparagus cooking juices, cover, and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the mixture for 30 minutes, then push it through a food mill fitted with a fine screen to remove the skin of the yellow peppers.
Add the butter and oil, and emulsify the mixture with a handheld immersion blender until it is smooth and creamy in appearance. Add the reserved asparagus, heat through, and serve