Ritamays Asparagus Artichoke Soup Food

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with 2 cups water and fit with a steamer basket. Bring to a boil. Add the asparagus and steam until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the asparagus to a cutting board and pour the water from the pot into a large measuring cup; add more water if needed to equal 2 cups. Set the pot aside.
• When the asparagus is cool enough to handle, trim off the tips and halve lengthwise; toss with a pinch of salt. Save these pieces for garnish. Add the remaining asparagus pieces to a blender with 1 cup of the reserved steaming water and blend until very smooth.
• Melt the butter in the pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds more. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to combine.
• Slowly whisk in the half-and-half and remaining 1 cup reserved steaming water until smooth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and the coriander. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to thicken, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir in the asparagus puree. Taste and adjust the seasonings (add more salt if it needs it!) and let the soup heat through. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the asparagus tips. Season with pepper.

CREAMY ARTICHOKE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a heavy, large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and the garlic and stir. Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the artichokes, stock, salt, and pepper and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Using a handheld immersion blender, or in a blender in batches*, puree the soup. Add the 2 tablespoons mascarpone and blend again to combine. In a small bowl, stir the remaining 1/3 cup mascarpone to soften.
• Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Dollop the top of each of the soups with a spoonful of the softened mascarpone cheese and top the cheese with chives.
• * When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

ASPARAGUS, ARTICHOKE, AND MUSHROOM SAUTE WITH TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the Vegetable Saute: Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and the garlic and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and asparagus to the pan and cook until tender. Add the artichoke hearts and season with salt and pepper, then cook until the artichoke hearts are heated through. Remove the skillet from the heat, then add in the tomatoes and stir to warm them up.
• For the Tarragon Vinaigrette: Combine the oil, vinegar, tarragon, salt and pepper in a glass screw-top jar. Seal the jar and shake vigorously to mix the vinaigrette.
• Toss the vegetables with the vinaigrette and serve.

SUPER EASY DIP FOR ARTICHOKES OR ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Stir together the mayonnaise, sesame oil, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Serve as a dip for steamed vegetables.

BALSAMIC ASPARAGUS AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Steam asparagus in batches vegetable steamer for 5-10 minutes each batch; time depending on the thickness of your asparagus stems.
• Meanwhile, stir fry frozen peppers in nonstick pan until warm and soft. Spoon out any extra liquid.
• Drain and rinse artichoke hearts. Chop coarsely and toss with peppers in medium bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette to taste.
• Put mixture in refrigerator until cool.
• Cool asparagus and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• To serve, put pepper mixture on plate and neatly place asparagus on top. Drizzle with more balsamic vinaigrette.

RITAMAY'S ASPARAGUS & ARTICHOKE SOUP RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large heavy soup pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter on low. Be careful not to burn. Add onion and celery; saute over medium heat until onions are transparent. Remove heat and set aside. In double boiler melt the rest of the butter, add flour and whisk until blended. Slowly add 1 can of milk, continue to whisk, make sure that the flour and butter mix completely with the milk. Add this white sauce to sauteed onions and celery. Over medium heat stir in remaining milk, stock and reserved liquid. Stir until the consistency is smooth. Add remaining vegetables and season. Bring to a low boil turn down immediately to low or simmer. Cook about 30 minutes (could be more or less) Stir occasionally to make sure milk does not scald. Serve hot Cooks Note: While cooking it is a judgement call as to the cooking covered or uncovered. If liquid is not thickening, leave lid off. If it is too thick, add some water and cook with lid on. Play with the recipe.

RITAMAY'S ASPARAGUS & ARTICHOKE SOUP RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large heavy soup pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter on low. Be careful not to burn. Add onion and celery; saute over medium heat until onions are transparent. Remove heat and set aside. In double boiler melt the rest of the butter, add flour and whisk until blended. Slowly add 1 can of milk, continue to whisk, make sure that the flour and butter mix completely with the milk. Add this white sauce to sauteed onions and celery. Over medium heat stir in remaining milk, stock and reserved liquid. Stir until the consistency is smooth. Add remaining vegetables and season. Bring to a low boil turn down immediately to low or simmer. Cook about 30 minutes (could be more or less) Stir occasionally to make sure milk does not scald. Serve hot Cooks Note: While cooking it is a judgement call as to the cooking covered or uncovered. If liquid is not thickening, leave lid off. If it is too thick, add some water and cook with lid on. Play with the recipe.