Garden-Fresh Asparagus Soup

(6)

This lemony asparagus soup is spiced with a touch of curry and gets added richness from “lite” coconut milk and creamy red potatoes. Top it with a dollop of crème fraîche or plain yogurt and serve warm or chilled.

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Cook Time:
35 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 appetizer servings, 1 generous cup each
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon curry powder

  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon, divided

  • 2 cups diced peeled red potatoes

  • 3 cups vegetable broth, or reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 cup “lite” coconut milk

  • 2 cups 1/2-inch pieces trimmed asparagus, (about 1 bunch)

  • Freshly ground pepper to taste

  • ¼ cup crème fraîche or reduced-fat sour cream (see Note)

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped scallion greens, or fresh chives

Directions

  1. Melt butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in curry powder, ginger, lemon zest and potatoes and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Stir in broth, coconut milk and asparagus. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, partially cover and continue to cook until

  2. the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

  3. Puree the soup with an immersion blender or a regular blender (in batches) until smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.

  4. Whisk creme fraiche (or sour cream), lemon juice and scallion greens (or chives) in a small bowl and garnish with a swirl of it.

Tips

Note: Crème fraîche is a tangy, thick, rich cultured cream commonly used in French cooking. Find it in the dairy section of large supermarkets, usually near other specialty cheeses. Sour cream can be used as a substitute, or you can make your own lower-fat version by combining equal portions
of reduced-fat sour cream and nonfat plain yogurt.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Soups Special Issue April 2016

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

181 Calories
12g Fat
15g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 generous cup
Calories 181
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 5g 10%
Total Fat 12g 16%
Saturated Fat 5g 27%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Vitamin A 426IU 9%
Vitamin C 14mg 15%
Folate 36mcg 9%
Sodium 251mg 11%
Calcium 29mg 2%
Iron 2mg 9%
Magnesium 21mg 5%
Potassium 456mg 10%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.