• Nat'l Asparagus Month - 5

    From Dave Drum@1:18/200 to All on Thu May 16 18:56:42 2024
    MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

    Title: Creamy Asparagus Soup
    Categories: Vegetables, Poultry, Herbs, Dairy
    Yield: 3 Servings

    2 lb Asparagus; trimmed of woody
    - stem bottoms if present
    1 lg Yellow onion; chopped
    1 ts Minced garlic
    +=OR=+
    1 tb Minced green garlic
    3 tb Butter
    4 c Chicken broth
    1 c Water
    2 Sprigs fresh thyme
    1 Bay leaf
    1/4 c Chopped fresh parsley
    1/4 c Heavy cream
    +=OR=+
    1/4 c Full-fat sour cream
    1 tb Dry vermouth
    +=OR=+
    1 tb Version *
    1 ts Lemon juice
    1/2 ts Black pepper; or more
    1 ts Salt; or more

    * Version is a non-alcoholic vermouth substitute made
    with a blend of spices such as cloves, cinnamon, ginger,
    and citrus, to mention a few. The drink is naturally
    sweet because of the combination of ingredients and
    natural sugars that are generally digested during
    fermentation.

    Cut tips from the asparagus 1 1/2" from top and reserve.
    Chop the rest of the asparagus stalks in 1/4" rounds.

    SAUTE ONIONS, GARLIC: Melt the butter in a 4 to 5 quart
    pot on medium heat. Add the onions and cook until
    translucent, about 5 minutes.

    Add the garlic (or green garlic) and cook a minute more.

    ADD ASPARAGUS: Add the chopped asparagus (not the spear
    tips) to the onions. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to
    taste. Cook another 5 minutes.

    Add the broth, water, thyme sprigs and bay leaf to the
    pot. Increase the heat to a boil, then reduce to a
    simmer. Simmer, covered, until the asparagus are tender,
    about 10 minutes.

    At the end of cooking, stir in the chopped parsley.

    BLANCH ASPARAGUS TIPS: While the soup is cooking, blanch
    the asparagus tips in a small pot of boiling, salted
    water, until the tips are just tender, about 2-4 minutes,
    depending on the size of the asparagus.

    Drain. Rinse with cool water to stop the cooking. Set
    aside.

    PUREE THE SOUP: Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Use
    either an immersion blender or an upright blender
    (working in batches) to puree the soup. If you use an
    upright blender, work in small batches, fill no more than
    a third the blender bowl at a time, and hold down the lid
    while blending.

    For a creamy texture, if you want, press the pureed soup
    through a sieve or food mill.

    Stir in cream, vermouth, lemon juice: Stir in the cream
    (or full-fat sour cream). Stir in the vermouth and lemon
    juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    Garnish with asparagus tips.

    RECIPE FROM: http://www.simplyrecipes.com

    Uncle Dirty Dave's Kitchen

    MMMMM

    ... Horseradish sauce is 20% roots, 80% concentrated sulphuric acid.
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.52
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)
  • From Dave Drum@1:18/200 to All on Fri May 2 22:23:00 2025
    MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

    Title: Asparagus & Mushrooms in Tarragon Cream
    Categories: Pasta, Vegetables, Mushrooms, Dairy, Citrus
    Yield: 6 Servings

    2 lb Asparagus
    2 tb Butter
    3 cl Garlic; minced
    1 tb Dried tarragon
    3/4 lb Mushrooms; thick sliced
    1/2 ts Salt
    1 tb Unbleached flour
    1 1/2 c Half & half
    1/2 ts Nutmeg
    1/2 c Parmesan cheese
    Black pepper
    1 Lemon; in 6 wedges
    12 oz Pasta

    Break off the tough ends of the asparagus stalks & cut
    the asparagus at a slant into 3" lengths. Melt the butter
    in a large skillet; add the garlic & tarragon and stir
    to distribute. Add the asparagus & mushrooms, sprinkle
    with the salt; stir. Saute over medium heat for about 10
    minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables & stir
    to distribute. Add the half and half & nutmeg. Reduce
    the heat to low. Bring to a simmer & cook for about 5
    minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened.

    Meanwhile, bring several quarts of water to a boil and
    cook the pasta al dente. Drain the pasta very well. Toss
    the pasta with the sauce in a warm serving bowl. Add the
    parmesan cheese and a few grinds of fresh black pepper &
    toss again. Serve immediately with the lemon wedges.
    Pass additional parmesan, if desired.

    Serving Ideas : Serve with steamed or glazed carrots.

    NOTE: This dish is perfect in spring when fresh slender
    asparagus is at its peak.

    Uncle Dirty Dave's Kitchen

    MMMMM

    ... "Take a deep breath and do the difficult thing first." Mary Anne
    Radmacher
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.52
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)