Asparagus Veloute Velvet Soup Hot Or Cold Recipes

ASPARAGUS VELVET SOUP

Steps:

• Trim asparagus by snapping tough ends off.
• Use only thin fresh asparagus.
• Bring wine and water to a simmer, add asparagus.
• Cook, covered 5 minutes or until tender.
• Drain asparagus liquid into food processor.
• Cut tips off asparagus at and angle and reserve.
• Cut the remaining spears into 1 inch pieces and puree in processor along with the liquid.
• In saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
• Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes.
• Whisk in vegetable stock and bring liquid to a bubble.
• Whisk in asparagus stock and return to a bubble.
• Season soup and stir in cream.
• Cook to thicken slightly.
• Serve in bowls topped with reserved asparagus tips and tarragon or chives.

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.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add asparagus and onion and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add stock and sherry;reduce heat to medium, cover and cook until asparagus is tender, 2 to 3 minutes;remove from heat.
• Puree asparagus mixture in batches in blender or food mill;transfer to a non-metal container.
• Cover and chill several hours or overnight.
• Cook asparagus spears in boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes; pat dry.
• To serve, add half and half to soup to desired consistancy.
• Season with salt and white pepper.
• Garnish each serving with 2 asparagus spears and serve.

ASPARAGUS VELOUTé

Steps:

• 1. Wash the asparagus. Cut 2 inches (5 cm.) off the tips and save them for another use. Do not peel the stalks but cut them into 15-inch (3-cm.) pieces.
• 2. Bring the stock or broth to a boil in a soup pot. When it bubbles, add the asparagus pieces and sugar. Turn down the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• 3. Blend and pass through a fine strainer (a chinois if possible), pressing on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Put the soup back in the pot, bring back to a boil, and boil about 30 minutes more.
• 4. Thoroughly mix the cornstarch in a bowl with 1 tablespoon cold water. Beat the yolk and cream together in a bowl large enough to hold all the soup.
• 5. When the soup in the pot has been reduced by about half, whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Boil for 1 minute, whisking constantly, and then gently pour everything into the bowl with the egg-cream mixture, whisking as you pour.
• 6. Pour the contents of the bowl back into the soup pot and heat very gently in order to thicken. Stir with a spatula and turn off the heat at the first sign of boiling. Blend. Season with salt as necessary.

CHICKEN VELOUTE WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Put the margarine in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• When the margarine melts, add the asparagus from one can only, discarding the juice.
• Then add the flour, mix with a wooden spoon and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Gradually add the hot chicken stock, whisking constantly.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, bring to a boil and continue to cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the stove and strain the chicken veloute through a sieve.
• Dice the asparagus from the second can, place it in the chicken soup, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.