Agro-focus

With this nutritious and easy to make asparagus soup you’ll get the most of this spring vegetable.

Ingredients:

• 1kg of green asparagus
• 1 white onion chopped
• 5 -6 cups of meat broth
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup crème fraîche or heavy cream
• 1 pinch of sea salt
• 1 pinch of pepper
• ¼ teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Method:

1. Cut 3cm of asparagus tips. Reserve for garnish. Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 1cm pieces.
2. Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened.
3. Add asparagus pieces and salt and pepper to taste, then cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 5 cups broth and simmer, covered, until asparagus is very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
4. While soup simmers, cook reserved asparagus tips in boiling salted water until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain.
5. Purée soup in batches in a blender until smooth, transferring to a bowl and return to pan. Stir in crème fraîche, and then add more broth to thin soup to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil and whisk in remaining tablespoon butter.
6. Add lemon juice and garnish with asparagus tips. Enjoy your meal!