Quick and easy French asparagus soup
I grew up in France enjoying lovely creamy asparagus soup each year when asparagus is in season. I thought it was time I shared this very simple recipe where I just replaced the crème fraiche with some Greek yoghurt. It works beautifully by giving this simple soup a lovely creaminess. It’s easy to make ahead if you’re entertaining, and works brilliantly for a leftover lunch with a slice of toasted sourdough or adding a poached egg for a protein top up.
ingredients
serves 4
4 large bunches of fresh asparagus (about 900g)
1 large onion, chopped
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 litre chicken or vegetable broth / stock
1/2 cup Greek yoghurt
Handful baby spinach
Fresh parmesan, grated for serving
method
prep time: 20mins
cook time: 50mins
Cut tips from 12 asparagus 4cm from top and reserve for garnish.
Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 2cm pieces.
Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a cast iron or heavy pot over medium/low heat, stirring, until softened. Add asparagus pieces, salt and pepper to taste, then cook for 5mins and stirring regularly.
Add 5 cups of broth and simmer, covered, until asparagus is very tender, usually 15 to 20 minutes.
While soup simmers, steam the reserved asparagus tips until just tender.
Purée the soup in batches in a blender until smooth or in the pot with a hand blender.
Once blended, return to or keep in the pan and stir in Greek yoghurt. More broth can then be added if you want to thin the soup.
Season with salt and pepper, bring soup to a slight boil and whisk a tablespoon of butter if eating or serving right away.
Garnish with asparagus tips and serve.
I love to add a few parmesan shavings too.
Storage
This soup will keep, covered and chilled, for 2 days. Add a tablespoon of butter when reheating.
the health boost
We are big fans of eating local and seasonal foods as much as we can. Asparagus season is very short here in the UK so we always make the most out of it. This recipe is super light and healthy and packs a punch of flavour and amazing nutrients.
Asparagus is a low-calorie vegetable that is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, especially folate and vitamins A, C and K.
