White Asparagus Cream Soup with Soft-Boiled Egg and Sliced Ham
Spring is finally here, and with it comes the irresistible charm of fresh white asparagus! Why not embark on a culinary adventure with this delightful recipe for white asparagus cream soup, accompanied by a perfectly soft-boiled egg and savory sliced ham? This comforting dish is not just a feast for the eyes; it’s a perfect way to celebrate the season’s flavors. Are you ready to treat your taste buds?
Recipe Information
- Servings: 4
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Medium
Ingredients
- 2 bundles of white asparagus
- 2.5 liters of chicken broth
- 200 ml of cooking cream
- 4 organic eggs
- 2 thick slices of ham from the bone
- A bit of curly parsley
- A bit of chives
- 1 shallot
- 50 grams of unsalted farm butter
- 1 tablespoon of flour
Instructions
- Clean the asparagus and cut them into sections, reserving the tips.
- In a pot, bring 2.5 liters of chicken broth to a boil.
- Add the asparagus sections and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender.
- Drain the asparagus, keeping the cooking liquid.
- In the same pot, over low heat, melt the butter and sauté the roughly chopped shallot until translucent.
- Sprinkle flour over the shallot and mix well.
- Gradually add the chicken broth to thicken the mixture, stirring constantly.
- Add the asparagus and let it simmer over low heat for an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, pour in the cream, and blend until smooth.
- In a pan, sear the asparagus tips until crispy (optional; you can add all asparagus to the soup).
- For soft-boiled eggs, cook for 6 minutes starting in cold water, then cool in ice water.
- Chop the parsley and chives finely.
- Finely slice the ham.
- Serve the asparagus cream in bowls, garnishing with crisp tips, chives, parsley sprigs, halved soft-boiled egg, and crumbled ham.
Recipe Tips
- Choose asparagus with tight, compact tips for the best texture.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of cream for a lighter soup.
Nutrition Information
Caloric Content: Approximately 350 calories per serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use green asparagus instead?
- Yes, but the flavor will differ slightly. White asparagus has a more delicate taste.
- How do I prevent the soup from being too thick?
- Add more chicken broth or cream until the desired consistency is reached.
- Can I prepare this in advance?
- Yes, you can make the soup ahead of time and reheat it before serving.
- What can I substitute for chicken broth?
- You can use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
- Is this recipe gluten-free?
- No, because of the flour. You can use a gluten-free flour alternative to make it gluten-free.