Creamless Cream of Asparagus Soup
Monday and Wednesday nights I swim. I generally eat a light meal a little while before so I don’t get hungry, but when I get home around 9, I usually need another light meal – and fast. I wasn’t too hungry tonight, but I did want to make Mark something and have something for myself for lunch tomorrow, so this is what I made. I wasn’t planning to post it, so no preparatory photos, but as he stood spooning it out of the pot and into his mouth, Mark exclaimed (somewhat surprised, it seemed), “This is really good – you have to post it!” So here it is.
Creamless Cream of Asparagus Soup
1 bunch asparagus, tops trimmed off and reserved, ugly bottoms removed and discarded, remainder chopped
2 Tbsp vegan margarine (like Earth Balance)
1 small or 1/2 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
sherry, for deglazing (optional)
4 cups vegan broth
2 medium potatoes or 6 baby potatoes, chopped
1/2 tsp dried thyme (or 1 sprig fresh if you have it)
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
a few shakes Dragonfly’s Bulk, Dry Uncheese Mix or vegan parmesan (optional)
Heat the margarine in a soup pot and add the onions. Cook until translucent, then add garlic and cook for another minute or two. Deglaze the pot with sherry (I used cream sherry), or a little broth if necessary. Add the broth and bring to a boil, then add the asparagus tips. Boil for a minute or two until tender then remove with tongs and set aside. Add the rest of the asparagus, potatoes, thyme and pepper, bring to a boil again, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for half an hour or until potatoes are very tender. Blend in batches or with an immersion blender. Stir in the uncheese mix if using. Garnish with the reserved tips.
This went over very well …
… although it did turn Mark into a pirate.
kibbles Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 9:35 am
Wow, I like the hair!
You always seem to post recipes I can make right away, I don’t always have asparagus but I do right now.
Jes Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 9:51 am
I’m definitely going to have to mark this for when asparagus is in season. I had an utter post-swim crash yesterday and I don’t want to repeat it!
Ksenia Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 10:06 am
That sounds great 😀 The perfect kind of meal now that I’m temporary (almost) toothless (the dental braces still hurt).
I love Marks hair! And your bowls 🙂 The amount of different cute mugs, bowls and plates you have is amazing 😀
I answered you comment on my blog, but it seems like the automatic “email commenter responder” doesn’t work; so no automatic answers for the moment u.u
PS: Yesterday it SNOWED here :O But the most incredible is that today’s is completly sunny again. The weather is really crazy…
Ksenia Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 10:06 am
That sounds great 😀 The perfect kind of meal now that I’m temporary (almost) toothless (the dental braces still hurt).
I love Marks hair! And your bowls 🙂 The amount of different cute mugs, bowls and plates you have is amazing 😀
I answered you comment on my blog, but it seems like the automatic “email commenter responder” doesn’t work; so no automatic answers for the moment u.u
PS: Yesterday it SNOWED here :O But the most incredible is that today’s is completly sunny again. The weather is really crazy…
radioactivegan Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 10:38 am
That soup looks great. Thanks for posting it! and thanks to Mark for telling you to.
Tiana Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 11:29 am
This sounds like a great meal that doesn’t take all that much time to whip up!
I don’t know about everyone else but I’m really thinking that Mark should go into food modeling. Although I would feel bad for someone who served him a dish that is horrid and then snapped that picture!
Josiane Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
Oh, yum! The spring-like weather we’ve been having lately reminded me that asparagus will be in season again… uh, soon-ish… That will be a fabulous way to enjoy them!
Josiane Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
Oh, yum! The spring-like weather we’ve been having lately reminded me that asparagus will be in season again… uh, soon-ish… That will be a fabulous way to enjoy them!
Maka Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 9:03 am
Off topic…what is a proofing box?
renae Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
Maka, for some reason your comment made me laugh, as it seems to have come out of nowhere. A proofing box is an apparatus that can maintain a steady temperature that is conducive to proofing bread. Actually, you can proof bread at just about any temperature, but if you are using a proofing box with a temperature you know and can control, you can control how long it will take the dough to rise. Bakeries therefore always use one, but most home bakers don’t have them unless they rig one up somehow (I have not done so). I’ve heard that some ovens these days come with a built-in proofing box, which I think would be awesome, however, I’ve never been too pressed about it. When Tigger was alive, I could have used one simply to keep him off my proofing loaves, though!
Hannah Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 9:25 am
I seriously can not wait for asparagus to come in season here. After I get over the initial thrill of eating them very plainly, I will definitely make this soup- It sounds delicious. 🙂
renae Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
Maka, for some reason your comment made me laugh, as it seems to have come out of nowhere. A proofing box is an apparatus that can maintain a steady temperature that is conducive to proofing bread. Actually, you can proof bread at just about any temperature, but if you are using a proofing box with a temperature you know and can control, you can control how long it will take the dough to rise. Bakeries therefore always use one, but most home bakers don’t have them unless they rig one up somehow (I have not done so). I’ve heard that some ovens these days come with a built-in proofing box, which I think would be awesome, however, I’ve never been too pressed about it. When Tigger was alive, I could have used one simply to keep him off my proofing loaves, though!
whatiwore Said,
March 12, 2010 @ 1:41 pm
This looks delicious and totally straightforward! Thanks 🙂
Allysia Said,
March 13, 2010 @ 3:33 pm
Hey there! I just made this, and it’s epic and delicious! I love how the asparagus flavour really shines, because of how simple you kept the seasoning! So good! 🙂
Renee Said,
March 14, 2010 @ 4:17 pm
Wish I liked asparagus…….. : – (
Renee Said,
March 14, 2010 @ 4:17 pm
Wish I liked asparagus…….. : – (
Maka Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 6:16 am
Thank u for the proofing box info. Husband makes wonderful things out of wood. I’m sure he can make one for me. Have a nice day. Truely love your site. Oh, I made some breadbags. They are a hit!
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