A soup doesn’t get any easier than this! Just a few simple ingredients and you’ve got yourself an elegant dish that is super healthy. This is perfect as an appetizer so I’m including it in my Easter menu series. Doesn’t it make you think that Spring is just around the corner? It is – no, really…it is!
You will be sure to impress your guests as you whip this up while your beautiful ham is cooking. Yes, I have a recipe for ham coming up, too. Wait till you see it – deliciousness! And it was the first time I ever cooked a ham – I was terrified – it was too funny. You’ll have to tune in to read the story on THAT one!
Ok, back to this healthy soup that will have everyone asking if you’ve been secretly going to culinary school at night. The best thing about eating fresh foods is that you don’t need a lot of them to create spectacular flavors. When you find the right combination, magic happens and you have that wonderful explosion on your taste buds that’s just pure goodness. This is one of those dishes. Best of all, it’s easy, inexpensive and your kids will love it even though it’s green!
I shopped for the ingredients at my favorite place, Nicholyn Farms. During the winter months, they also carry produce from Barrie Hill Farms so I was able to get frozen asparagus that was simply delectable. One of the very few downsides about living in Canada is that during the winter months a lot of our fresh produce in the big supermarkets is coming from thousands of miles away and who knows when it was picked. If you are in cold weather climate, check out the farms in your area. You’d be surprised by how many are freezing their summer harvests.
If you don’t have any dairy issues in your family, (and you’re not vegan) you can always drizzle this with a little cream instead of olive oil before serving. It will add that extra za-za-zoom factor. I’m definitely making this as an appetizer for Easter dinner. What’s going on at your house….
- Do you have big Easter dinners with lots of friends and family or do you prefer a small gathering?
- Do you have little kidlets who go Easter egg hunting?
- What do you cook at Easter – ham, turkey, lamb or something wild and crazy that you’ve just GOT to share!?
I look forward to reading your comments. Cheers!
- 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3/4 lb. asparagus spears, stalks chopped, woody ends discarded, tips reserved
- 3 shallots, finely sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 large handfuls spinach
- 2 1/2 cups organic vegetable stock (or fresh if possible)
- salt and pepper
- olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan on medium heat. Saute the asparagus tips for 2 minutes to soften. Remove and set aside.
- Add the shallots, asparagus stalks and garlic, and cook for 5-10 mins until softened but still bright. Stir through the spinach, pour over the stock, bring to the boil, then blitz with a hand blender.
- Season generously with salt and pepper and add hot water to loosen if needed. Ladle into bowls and scatter the asparagus tips over each. Drizzle with olive oil.
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20 Comments
Linda
March 11, 2015 at 11:32 pmLovely soup Robyn. The two veggies combined is wonderful.
I love having fresh produce readily available. Looking forward to your yummy ham. Thanks for your well wishes, Lots of love from W.W. xo
Robyn
March 12, 2015 at 7:02 amThanks, Linda. It must be great living in California where you have all that fresh produce all the time. The ham is up next, lol.
Robyn recently posted…Simple Asparagus Spinach Soup
Anita Rivera
March 12, 2015 at 5:27 amDoesn’t that look fabulous….OH how spinach makes my culinary world go round! I use it (well, I used to) in most anything, and soups are the perfect setting. And of course, that drizzle of olive oil tops it off!
It’s Thursday and I am EXCITED! March is marching by splendidly and before I know it, it’s spring break at the end of the month!
Have a super day dearest Robyn! Anita
Robyn
March 12, 2015 at 7:04 amI toss spinach in everything too, Anita. Lots of times I just reach in the fridge and grab a handful.
Next week is March break here and my nephews are soooo excited. Let’s hope the warm weather is here for your break 🙂
Mindy
March 12, 2015 at 3:16 pmI love asparagus and the spring green color is fantastic. We are planning to have Easter dinner at my parents with family and my Dad usually makes a ham. I am not a great ham “cooker” so will be anxious to see what you have up your sleeve with that one. Our temps are still pretty cool at night but I think I can get some spinach going in the green house. It doesn’t feel like we have had a real winter so I feel like it’s not time yet!
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Robyn
March 13, 2015 at 7:18 amDo you grow asparagus as well, Mindy? It’s nice to have someone else cook sometimes during the holidays isn’t it? I’m so glad I cooked this ham because it took all the fear out of it and it was so tasty. My youngest nephew was thrilled too, because he’s a big ham eater so there was lots for him.
You’re torturing me with the ‘no winter’ comment, lol. Have a great weekend!
Robyn recently posted…Simple Asparagus Spinach Soup
mary
March 12, 2015 at 5:55 pmOh Robyn, this sounds so fresh and tasty. It’s been awhile since I’ve made asparagus soup. I remember how good it is too. I like how you added spinach and a drizzle of olive oil. It’s been so darn hot here, I don’t get to think about soup! Our weather is SO weird! Last week it hailed all over the beach and blanketed it in in white, like winter snow. (that hasn’t happened in 50 years)Then it was sunny and hot right after. Yesterday it rained and today it’s 85. I just want to wear boots and sweaters, please! I guess I shouldn’t complain. Anywhooo….I’m making soup anyway, thank you for this recipe, it sounds so good and your kale dip too. Bless you, Mary
Robyn
March 13, 2015 at 7:21 amTo be honest, Mary, I’ve never been a fan of this soup before because I’ve always had it with cream and it tasted too rich. This was the perfect solution and so much healthier. I just loved the simple yet bold flavours.
I have a cousin in Huntington Beach and I had so much fun texting him about al your hail! I saw it on the news and it looked so beautiful yet I’m sure quite shocking to everyone. He texted back and said, ‘well, at least we don’t have 4 more months of winter left’ lol. It’s been a long one here!
Robyn recently posted…Simple Asparagus Spinach Soup
Bam's Kitchen
March 13, 2015 at 8:58 amBeautifully plated and love the addition of olive oil drizzle instead of heavy cream… do you have one of those hand blitzers? I don’t but do have a blender, those hand blenders always look like so much fun! I don’t have an Easter menu planned, as you know they don’t celebrate that here so it will be life as usual and everyone will be working and have school… I can’t even find hams here in HK so it will have to be something out the ordinary Easter feast. BTW love your spoon and beautiful spring napkins and touches. Have a super weekend. Sharing, of course!
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Kimchi Pantry Fried Brown Rice
megan @ NoSmallLife
March 13, 2015 at 3:42 pmI love how simple and healthy this is! Definitely trying this…and if someone wants to think I went to culinary school…bonus! 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Marla
March 14, 2015 at 12:04 pmThis sounds wonderful Robyn. I love asparagus and this soup would taste so great on a cold windy March day. Thanks so much for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.
Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays #79 – Living A Healthful Life
Miz Helen
March 16, 2015 at 2:36 pmHi Robyn,
We will just love the flavor combination of this soup! Happy St. Patrick’s Day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen recently posted…Mustard Greens and Corn Skillet
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
March 22, 2015 at 6:02 pmYum! Deliciously green. And I have asparagus in my fridge right now.. I absolutely adore pureed veggie soups, and this looks like a fantastic combo.
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Szechuan Style Stir-Fried Cauliflower
Kimberly
March 23, 2015 at 4:39 pmThis looks incredible! I’m drooling right now. Pinned and tweeted. We are so thrilled to have you at our party. Please stop by tonight at 7, so we can see your amazing projects. Lou Lou Girls
Kimberly recently posted…Easter Wreath
Florian @Contentednesscooking.com
March 29, 2015 at 11:58 amI need a warm bowl of this soup! Love this.
Florian @Contentednesscooking.com recently posted…Cozy Sunday – 23 Amazing Avocado Recipes Roundup
Robyn
March 29, 2015 at 3:05 pmThanks so much, Florian. This soup is as easy as it gets 🙂
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