Cream of Asparagus Soup with Soymilk

Recipe courtesy of The Soyfoods Council.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 pounds asparagus, tips reserved
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium diced onion
1/2 cup diced leek
1/2 cup diced celery
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups vegetable stock
1 cup soymilk
Salt, black pepper, nutmeg and cayenne pepper to taste

Cooking Directions:

1. In a pot of boiling salted water, blanch the asparagus tips until tender—no more than 1 to 2 minutes—and shock in ice water. Reserve tips to garnish the soup.
2. In a large saucepot add oil, heat. Add onion, leek and celery, stir over medium heat until translucent. Add the flour, stirring constantly, to incorporate. Slowly whisk in the vegetable stock, whisking thoroughly until smooth. Once all of the vegetable stock is incorporated, add the asparagus stalks and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.
3. In a blender, add soup in small batches, purée. Using a fine strainer, strain soup to remove any vegetable pulp. Return the soup to the saucepot, bring to boil, then simmer.
4. Add soymilk, stir. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne pepper to taste.
5. Divide equally into soup bowls. Garnish with reserved asparagus tips. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of The Soyfoods Council.