Asparagus Three Onion Soup With Creme Fraiche Food

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP (CRèME D'ASPERGES)

Steps:

• Cut tips from 12 asparagus 1 1/2 inches from top and halve tips lengthwise if thick. Reserve for garnish.
• Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. 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.
• While soup simmers, cook reserved asparagus tips in boiling salted water until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain.
• Purée soup in batches in a blender until smooth, transferring to a bowl (use caution when blending hot liquids), and return to pan. Stir in crème fraîche, 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.
• Add lemon juice and garnish with asparagus tips.

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.

TANGY ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add shallots; cook and stir until tender. Add asparagus; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, wine and coriander. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until asparagus is tender, 3-5 minutes. Do not drain. Cool slightly. Place in blender; cover and process until pureed. Stir in pepper. Keep warm. , To make crisps, heat a lightly greased small skillet over medium heat. Add about 2 tablespoons cheese; cook until cheese is golden brown and bubbly, 1-2 minutes. Carefully flip the crisp; cook 30 seconds longer. Remove to waxed paper to cool. Repeat., In a small bowl, combine the creme fraiche, lemon juice and lemon zest., Ladle soup into cups; dollop with creme fraiche mixture. Serve with Parmesan crisps.

ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH LEMON CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat butter and oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Add asparagus and potatoes; cook 3 minutes longer. Stir in broth, lemon zest and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes., Cool slightly. Process soup in batches in a blender until smooth. Return all to pan and heat through. Combine garnish ingredients; serve with soup.

CREME FRAICHE ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• In a 4-quart pan, melt butter.
• Add onion and cook just until soft and golden; do not brown.
• Add chicken stock and bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, cut 3 inches of tips off asparagus and set aside.
• In food processor or blender or by hand, slice remaining asparagus into ¼-inch pieces.
• Drop pieces into boiling broth. Cover and simmer until very soft, about 30 minutes.
• Cool for 10 minutes, and then puree soup in blender or processor.
• Return soup to pan.
• Add asparagus tips and simmer until just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in cream.
• Season with salt and pepper and a drop or two of lemon juice.
• Serve warm or cold.

ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH LEMON CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus and coriander; stir 1 minute. Add vegetable broth and simmer until asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly. Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Strain into same pan, pressing on solids to release liquid. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
• Stir crème fraîche, lemon juice, and lemon peel in small bowl. Divide soup among bowls. Top with dollop of lemon crème fraîche and serve.

ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH LEMON CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add shallots; saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add asparagus and corander; stir 1 minute.
• Add broth; simmer until asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Cool slightly.
• Either work in batches and puree soup in blender or use and immersion blender in same pot.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Stir creme fraiche, lemon juice and lemon peel in small bowl.
• Ladle soup into bowls, top with dollop of lemon creme fraiche.

PASTA PRIMAVERA WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus stems into 1/4-inch-thick pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, English peas and onion. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (but not too soft or mushy), 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until al dente (1 to 3 minutes for fresh pasta, more for dried pasta). Drain well and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano-Reggiano, crème fraîche and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper, if needed.

SPRING ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH LEMON CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• To blanch asparagus:.
• Bring pot of water to rolling boil add steamer basket. Add asparagus stalks. Cover and cook for 5 minutes but still bright green. Immediately transfer to bowl of ice water to stop cooking.
• To make soup:.
• When asparagus is cold remove from water. Cut into large chunks. Place in blender. Add enough cold chicken stock to cover stalks. Add pepper, blend until mixture is thin puree. Continuing to blend, add olive oil in steady stream.
• Blend in 1/4 cup creme fraiche. Strain soup through a fine-mesh strainer into large pot. Set aside.
• To make lemon creme fraiche:.
• In medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup creme fraiche, lemon zest and lemon juice. Using wire whisk, whip until thickened. Set aside.
• To serve soup:.
• Warm soup over medium heat until it bubbles. Ladle into bowls. Top with lemon creme fraiche and radish matchsticks. Serve immediately.
• *Variation: Serve soup cold with lump of crab meat in each bowl.

ASPARAGUS FRITTATA WITH CREME FRAICHE AND CHIVES

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Whisk eggs, 1/4 cup chives, parsley, Parmesan cheese, half and half, salt and pepper in larg bowl until just blended. Melt butter and oil in heavy nonstick 10-inch diameter omelette pan over medium heat. Add asparagus and onion and sauté until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Pour egg mixtre over asparagus . Reduce heat to low; cook until edges are just set, about 3 minutes. Using heat-proof spatula, lift cooked edges of egg mixture and tilt pan so uncooked eggs run beneath. Continue cooking until egg mixture is nearly set on top, about 5 minutes. Broil until just puffed and lightly golden on top, about 2 minutes.
• Slide spatula under frittata to loosen. Slide out onto cutting board. Cut frittata into 1-inch squares (can be made 2 hours ahead of time. Let stand at room temperature).
• Arrange squares on serving platter. Spoon dollop of creme fraiche atop each square. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chives and serve.

ASPARAGUS-THREE ONION SOUP WITH CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large deep-sided nonreactive pot over medium heat.
• Add shallot and garlic (if using) and leeks and saute until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add asparagus and saute 2 minutes.
• Add broth and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Bring to simmer, reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, until vegetables are very tender, about 15 minutes.
• Using hand held blender, puree soup in pot. Alternately, working in batches, puree soup in food processor, blender, or food mill. Return soup to same pot.
• Stir in 1 cup creme fraiche.
• Season to taste with salt and fresh ground white pepper.
• If serving immediately, reheat soup a few minutes if necessary.
• Soup can be prepared 2 days ahead; just cool, cover and refrigerate and then stir over medium heat until heated through before serving.
• To serve, ladle soup into 8 soup bowls. Garnish each with a dollop of creme fraiche. Sprinkle with chives.