To continue on with the soup series and with asparagus in season, I had to make this recipe. I found it from Epicurious and is it good. It's a very rich soup with a velvety texture. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
* 2 pounds green asparagus
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 5 to 6 cups chicken broth
* 1/2 cup crème fraîche or heavy cream
* 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
Cut tips from 12 asparagus 1 1/2 inches from top. Reserve for garnish.
Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces (don't forget to trim the woody ends).
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 (Scott's Note: I used a stick blender and Puréed the soup right in the pan). Stir in crème fraîche or heavy cream, 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 (I added the lemon juice in the serving bowl at the end to brighten the soup up - just a couple of drops will do).
