Cream of Asparagus Soup

Cream of Asparagus Soup

Cream of Asparagus Soup

Cream of Asparagus Soup……….even the name sounds silky and elegant. That is just what this soup is, and it has no cream in it………What you say no cream?????

I know I was amazed too! I have made plenty of cream soup, but they have all got their creaminess from heavy cream. But heavy cream has a lot of calories, and a lot of fat so, what to do to reduce that??

I have seen recipes what have used instant potatoes to thicken soups, so I wondered if a regular potato would work. Low and behold it did! Adding some onion and garlic to the asparagus gave it just the right underlying taste. The only other thing it needed was salt and pepper.

Cream of Asparagus Soup 1

Now, I have have one of those handy immersion blenders, and next to my Kitchen Aide stand mixer, it is one of the best gadgets I own. It works like a blender but with NO, I repeat, No big mess to cleanup after, just plug it in, stick it in your pan, and blend away. There are many versions on the market, do yourself a favor and get one…….. you won’t be sorry.

Now, I did want to add just a touch of cream with out using cream, so sour cream (low-fat) is a great substitute. You just need a small amount to make a big impact.

I garnished the soup with some beautiful reserved asparagus tips that I blanched until just tender crisp, and just a few slivers of parmesan cheese.

Serve it with a rustic loaf of French bread, and it’s a great light lunch or dinner.

Of course, as always if you have your own asparagus …………….Yum! I am still gushing over ours, it is fabulous!

Cream of Asparagus Soup Collage

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Cream of Asparagus Soup

Cream of Asparagus Soup

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Cream Soup with out the cream!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound asparagus
  • 2 teaspoons butter
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons low fat sour cream
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, melt butter over low heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté on low for 3-4 minutes.
  2. Trim asparagus, removing tough ends, and cut into 2 inch pieces, reserving the tips for garnish
  3. Add diced potato and asparagus pieces to onion and garlic in the pot. Add chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until asparagus is very tender. While asparagus is cooking, blanch tips until tender crisp, cool under running water and set aside for garnish.
  4. Remove from heat and using an immersion blender puree until smooth (alternately you can puree mixture in a regular blender in batches, then return to pot). Stir in sour cream until well blended.
  5. Ladle into serving bowls, garnishing with asparagus tips and parmesan cheese.

Keywords: asparagus, soup, healthy,

 

 

 

 

Asparagus Scallops

Asparagus Scallops

Asparagus Scallops ……….Asparagus……..our first year with our own has proven to be well worth the wait………it has taken three long years. 

We have made several dishes, and as the crop continues (hopefully for a while longer), I will be able to post a few more recipes with this yummy spring veggie.

Scallops, are something that people either LOVE or do not. Tim and I happen to LOVE them. They pair well with many things but, pairing them with the fresh, home grown, extra special, because we grew it ourselves asparagus, was nothing short of fabulous!

While the sauce is not exactly fat free it is tastiful……………I know not proper english, and probably grammatically incorrect, but…………….if you want that kind of writing you are in the wrong spot. I write like I talk……..those of you who know me know I am kinda a goober sometimes, so, now those who do not know me know as well.

This recipe is quick to fix, would be impressive to serve to company, makes a great date night dinner, and as I have already said is tastiful!! So. whether you have your own asparagus, bum some from a friend who has an asparagus patch, or purchase it from the store……………then try our Asparagus Scallops recipe for dinner tonight!

Asparagus Scallops Collage

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Asparagus and Scallops

Asparagus Scallops

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 lb asparagus
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut or olive oil
  • 1 lb large sea scallops
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces

Instructions

  1. Trim asparagus, then cut stems into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices, leaving tips whole.
  2. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot, sauté asparagus, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon, reserving skillet off heat. You can use the same skillet for the entire meal, so no need to clean.
  3. Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add remaining oil to skillet and heat over moderately high heat until hot, then sauté scallops, turning over once, until browned and just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer scallops to another plate as cooked.
  4.  Add white wine and vinegar to skillet and bring to a boil, scraping up any brown bits in the pan. Boil until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons. Add any scallop juices accumulated on plate and bring to a simmer.
  5. Reduce heat to low and whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated.
  6. Add asparagus and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
  7. Serve scallops topped with asparagus and sauce.

Keywords: asparagus, scallops, main dish

 

Mexican Meatless Stuffed Peppers

Mexican Meatless Stuffed Peppers

Mexican Meatless Stuffed Peppers

This is a special recipe for Melissa at Grubsteakers. Tim cleans the beer lines at Grubsteakers in Rochelle and Melissa is a waitress there, so he sees her every two weeks. She always has a cup of coffee for Tim and is a friend of What the “Forks” for Dinner? So when she requested a meatless stuffed pepper we were happy to oblige. 

I wanted to do something a little less traditional so, opted for a Mexican flavor since Tim and I love Mexican food. I didn’t want to stray to far from the traditional, so kept the rice, using a gluten free rice for my gluten intolerant friends. Black beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, garlic, with cumin, and chili powder give the rice that Mexican flavor I was looking for and the cheese adds a creaminess, and well………its cheese, whats not to like.

I hope that Melissa likes these Mexican Meatless Stuffed Peppers as much we did, and we hope you do too!!

Mexican Meatless Stuffed Peppers Collage

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Mexican Meatless Stuffed Peppers

Mexican Meatless Stuffed Peppers

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: Tex Mex

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2½ cups cooked gluten free brown rice
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons coconut or olive oil
  • 112 ounce bag Mexican mix veggies(Zesty Corn & Black Bean Blend)
  • 114.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • 3/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or more to taste
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 bell peppers, tops cut, stemmed and seeded, reserving tops

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 X 9 inch baking pan with non stick spray.
  2. In a large skillet heat oil over medium high heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent. Add garlic, Mexican veggie mix, tomatoes, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt & pepper, cook until heated through.
  3. Mix in cooked rice and cheese.
  4. Spoon the filling into each each bell pepper cavity. Place on prepared baking dish, cavity side up, place reserved tops over filling and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through, about 25-30 minutes.
  5. Serve immediately.

Notes

This dish is meatless and gluten free.

Keywords: vegetarian, sweet peppers, gluten free brown rice, tomatoes, cheese