Almost Raw Asparagus Soup With Yogurt And Almonds Food

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Saute 1 chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme in 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium-high heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 2 pounds asparagus (trimmed and chopped), 1 1/2 cups each water and chicken broth and a big pinch of salt. Simmer until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Working in batches, puree in a blender. Return to the pot, whisk in 1/2 cup crème fraiche and warm through (do not boil). Season with salt and pepper. Top with more creme fraiche and chopped chives.

SLOW COOKER TORTILLA SOUP

Steps:

• Place the chicken, tomatoes (and juices), beans, broth, water, onion, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, and chili powder in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.
• Uncover the slow cooker and use tongs to remove the chicken from the pot. Once cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and shred, then return the meat to the pot. Stir in the lemon juice. Crumble a few tortilla chips into each bowl and cover with some soup. Serve sprinkled with cilantro and grated cheese.
• Per serving: Calories: 275; Total Fat: 8 grams; Saturated Fat: 4 grams; Protein: 22 grams; Total carbohydrates: 29 grams; Sugar: 7 grams; Fiber: 6 grams; Cholesterol: 56 milligrams; Sodium: 364 milligrams

ASPARAGUS WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute almonds in 1 teaspoon of oil until lightly browned; remove and set aside. In the same skillet, saute asparagus in the remaining oil for 1 minute. Add the water, sugar, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Drain. Sprinkle with lemon juice; top with almonds.

HOMEMADE YOGURT WITH APPLE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Heat the milk in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until a thermometer registers 185 degrees F. (The milk should be steaming but not boiling.) Turn off the heat and slowly whisk in the dry milk. Whisk in the maple syrup, if using. Let the milk mixture cool to 110 degrees F, 20 to 30 minutes. Whisk in the plain yogurt.
• Pour the milk mixture into a large jar or glass bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap vented with a few holes. Set aside in a warm place (90 degrees F to 105 degrees F), such as near a heater or in a cooler with a thermos filled with hot water, 12 to 18 hours. (The longer it sits, the thicker and tangier the yogurt will be.)
• Transfer the yogurt to the refrigerator; chill at least 8 hours. Stir before serving.
• Combine 6 cups diced peeled Granny Smith apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup water in a skillet over medium heat. Simmer until soft, stirring, about 30 minutes.

ASPARAGUS AND ALMOND SOUP

Steps:

• Cook the asparagus spears until they are tender, and reserve some of the tips; blend half of the stock and the asparagus together, then combine the puree with the remaining stock, ground almonds and salt and pepper in a large saucepan and bring it to the boil and simmer for 1 minute.
• Serve either warm or chilled, garnished with the reserved asparagus tips.
• This soup can also be frozen.
• Chef's Note: If you have spare spears or left over asparagus, use them to make my Asparagus Sauce, which can be served with pasta, salmon, or chicken. It too is great hot or cold and can be frozen.

ROASTED SALMON GREEK SALAD WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• For the roasted salmon: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a cooking sheet with foil and lightly oil.
• Pat the salmon dry. Check for bones by running your hand over the salmon from the thinnest to thickest end. Remove any bones. Sprinkle the salmon with the 2 teaspoons oil, lemon zest salt and pepper. Cook the salmon until just cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes. Let the salmon cool slightly, then flake with a fork.
• For the yogurt sauce: Whisk the yogurt, 1 tablespoon water, lemon zest, juice, mint, salt and pepper in a bowl until combined.
• For the Greek salad: Toss the olives, tomatoes, lettuce, scallion and cucumber in a medium bowl. Whisk the vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl. Gradually add the oil, whisking until emulsified. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Sprinkle the feta on top.
• Serve the flaked roasted salmon on top of the Greek salad and drizzle with the yogurt sauce.

ALMOND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Clean and trim off the tough ends of asparagus.
• Melt margarine in a large skillet. (Non-stick is optional).
• Add the asparagus. Saute' at medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
• Add lemon juice, cover, and simmer until crisp-tender.
• Add the almond slivers. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss gently, then serve.

ASPARAGUS WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of slightly salted water to a boil.
• Snap off and discard the ends of the asparagus. Cut trimmed asparagus spears on a diagonal into 2-inch-long pieces.
• Cook asparagus in boiling water until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
• Drain and rinse under cold water. Pat asparagus dry with paper towels.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-heat. Add almonds and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted (abour 3 minutes). Transfer to a plate.
• Heat oil and garlic together in a large skillet over medium heat until garlic begins to brown, about 2 minute Add asparagus and cook, stirring often, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in almonds. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

GREEK YOGURT CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Spray medium pot with olive oil spray.
• Grill onion over medium heat till soft.
• Add chicken stock.
• Snap asparagus into small pieces, getting rid of woody ends and add to pot.
• Place lid on pot and bring to boil.
• Simmer for 15 minutes.
• Take off heat and either blend in blender or use hand blender to blend smooth.
• Add Greek yogurt and milk blend smooth.
• Heat for a bit longer if you want to serve warm or place in fridge to serve cold.

ASPARAGUS AND FAVA BEANS WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Blanch fava beans in a pot of salted boiling water just until tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to an ice-water bath. Blanch asparagus in pot until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes; transfer to ice-water bath. Drain vegetables. Remove outer skin from fava beans (you should have 1 cup). Pat asparagus dry.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Swirl in oil, then add garlic and fava beans and season with salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is softened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer beans to a plate with a slotted spoon. Let skillet cool slightly, then whisk lemon juice into oil in skillet; season with salt and pepper. (Add more oil if dressing is too tart.) Add asparagus; toss to coat with dressing.
• Combine almonds and lemon zest in a small bowl. Transfer asparagus to a platter, top with fava beans, and drizzle remaining dressing in skillet over top. Sprinkle with almond-zest mixture and serve.