Creamy Asparagus Potato Soup with Chive Cream: Your Ultimate Spring Delight
Embrace the vibrant flavors of spring with this exceptionally creamy Asparagus Potato Soup! This silky smooth pureed soup features a delightful base of fresh asparagus, tender Yukon gold potatoes, sweet leeks, and aromatic onions. Crowned with an elegant, homemade chive cream, it’s a dish that truly celebrates the season’s bounty.
This recipe post is proudly sponsored by Imagine®.
Welcoming Spring with a Hearty Asparagus Potato Soup
The signs are unmistakable: spring has finally graced us with its presence! The cheerful chirping of robins fills the air, daffodil shoots are peeking through the soil, and perhaps most excitingly for food lovers, fresh asparagus has made its triumphant return to grocery stores and farmers’ markets. After what often feels like an eternity of chilly days and cozy indoor meals, this vibrant shift in season is a breath of fresh air, invigorating our spirits and our palates.
There’s a unique magic to spring produce – its bright flavors and crisp textures signal new beginnings and culinary inspiration. And what better way to celebrate this beloved season than with a dish that captures its essence perfectly? Today, I’m thrilled to share a special collaboration with my friends at Imagine® to bring you the latest addition to our seasonal soup series: a creamy asparagus potato soup, beautifully finished with a luxurious homemade chive cream. This soup is designed to be both comforting and refreshing, a true testament to the simple elegance of fresh ingredients.
The Heart of the Dish: Key Ingredients for a Delicious Asparagus Potato Soup
Let’s dive into the core components that make this creamy asparagus potato soup so extraordinary. Each ingredient plays a vital role in building layers of flavor and achieving that perfectly smooth texture. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, allowing the natural goodness of the fresh produce to shine.
Quality Broth: The Foundation of Flavor
For those not yet acquainted with Imagine® products, allow me to introduce you to a brand that has been a staple in my kitchen for years. Imagine® offers an impressive range of organic broths and soups, distinguished by their rich, well-rounded flavors and commitment to quality. What sets them apart is their dedication to using certified organic, non-GMO ingredients. You might be surprised to learn how many conventional store-bought broths contain hidden sugars or unnecessary filler ingredients – even some of the so-called “premium” brands! With Imagine®, you can trust that you’re getting a pure, wholesome base for your culinary creations.
I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Imagine® on various recipes, and developing soups has always been a particular joy for me. Our journey together began with an exotic slow cooker curried lentil soup, followed by a hearty vegetarian chili. Now, we’re concluding this delightful series with this creamy and incredibly smooth pureed asparagus potato soup, specifically crafted to herald the arrival of spring. For this particular recipe, we’ll be using Imagine® Organic Free Range Chicken Broth. Its robust, classic flavor profile is ideal for pureed vegetable soups like this one, where the broth needs to complement rather than overpower the fresh ingredients.
Starring Asparagus and Yukon Gold Potatoes
The star of this spring soup is undoubtedly fresh asparagus. When selecting asparagus, look for firm, vibrant green stalks with tightly closed, compact tips and moist ends. The thickness of the stalks indicates the age of the plant, not necessarily its tenderness, so don’t shy away from thicker spears as long as they are fresh. Asparagus not only brings a distinct, slightly earthy and sweet flavor, but it’s also packed with vitamins A, C, E, K, and folate, making this soup a nutritious choice. We’ll trim any woody ends and cut it into manageable pieces, ensuring it cooks evenly and blends beautifully.
Complementing the asparagus are Yukon gold potatoes. These potatoes are renowned for their naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture when cooked, making them the perfect choice for a pureed soup. They contribute a wonderful body and richness without the need for excessive heavy cream, allowing the soup to maintain a lighter feel while still being incredibly satisfying. When peeled and diced, they break down effortlessly during cooking, contributing to the desired silky smooth consistency.
Aromatic Foundation: Leeks and Onions
No great soup is complete without a flavorful aromatic base. Sweet leeks and yellow onions are sautéed until tender and translucent, creating a subtle sweetness and depth that perfectly balances the brighter notes of the asparagus. Leeks offer a milder, more delicate onion flavor, which is a fantastic pairing for the delicate taste of spring asparagus. Taking the time to properly sauté these vegetables is crucial as it unlocks their full flavor potential, laying the groundwork for a truly exceptional soup.
Why This Creamy Asparagus Potato Soup Will Be Your New Favorite
This creamy asparagus potato soup isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s a celebration of fresh, seasonal ingredients transformed into a comforting yet sophisticated meal. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
- Asparagus Takes Center Stage: The fresh, vibrant flavor of asparagus is truly the star here. The careful balance of leeks and onions enhances, rather than overwhelms, its delicate taste.
- Naturally Creamy and Light: Thanks to the Yukon gold potatoes, this soup achieves a wonderfully creamy texture without being overly heavy or rich. They naturally thicken the soup, providing a satisfying mouthfeel.
- Quick and Easy to Prepare: From start to finish, this soup comes together in under 45 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave something wholesome and homemade. The simple ingredient list means less fuss and more enjoyment.
- Elegant Yet Simple: While pureeing fresh spring asparagus might seem unusual, it’s one of my favorite ways to truly highlight this seasonal vegetable. The result is a surprisingly elegant dish that tastes far more complex than its preparation suggests.
- Versatile and Adaptable: While the chicken broth adds depth, this soup can easily be made vegetarian by substituting a high-quality organic vegetable broth. You can also adjust seasonings to your preference, perhaps adding a pinch of nutmeg for warmth or a swirl of pesto for an herbaceous kick.
Crafting the Decadent Chive Cream Topping
Now, let’s talk about the grand finale – the homemade chive cream! While the asparagus potato soup is delightful on its own, this garnish elevates it to a truly unforgettable culinary experience. It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact, and this chive cream is proof of that.
How to Make This Simple Yet Stunning Chive Cream:
If the idea of “chive cream” sounds intimidating, let me assure you, it’s remarkably simple. Essentially, it’s heavy cream whipped until it forms stiff peaks, then gently folded with finely sliced fresh chives and a pinch of salt. That’s it! It requires minimal effort, takes mere minutes to prepare, and yet offers an incredible “wow” factor that complements the asparagus soup beautifully. The subtle oniony freshness of the chives brightens the overall flavor profile of the soup, adding another layer of complexity.
Because the cream is whipped to such a fluffy consistency, it elegantly floats on top of the hot soup. I love to shape it into delicate quenelles using two spoons, which creates a sophisticated and deceptively fancy presentation. As you enjoy each spoonful of soup, the chive cream slowly melts, releasing its delicate flavor and adding a luxurious, creamy texture without making the soup overly rich. It’s a touch of decadence that feels light and fresh, perfectly harmonizing with the spring theme.
If you prefer to skip the chive cream, a simple splash of heavy cream (about 2 tablespoons per serving) stirred into the soup just before serving will impart a similar touch of richness. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chives and a light drizzle of good quality olive oil for a beautiful finish. Either way, this creamy asparagus potato soup is sure to become a beloved addition to your spring recipe collection. Enjoy!
Asparagus Potato Soup with Chive Cream
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Equipment
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Vitamix 5200 Blender
Ingredients
Asparagus Potato Soup:
- 2 bunches asparagus (roughly 2 lbs)
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 large leek, white and light green parts only thinly sliced
- 2 Yukon gold potatoes (roughly 10 oz) peeled and diced
- 1½ quarts (6 cups) Imagine® Organic Free Range Chicken Broth
- fresh lemon juice to taste
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Chive Cream (Optional):
- ¼ cup (60 mL) chilled heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives plus more for garnishing
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
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Trim and discard any woody stalks of the asparagus. Cut the asparagus into 1-inch wide pieces and set aside.
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Prepare the Soup: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large soup pot over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and onions, and a large pinch of salt. Sauté over medium heat for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the leeks and onions are very soft and beginning to become translucent. It is OK if they gain a tiny bit of color.
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Add the asparagus and potato and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and continue cooking, with the pot partially covered, for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every now and then, or until the asparagus and potato are cooked through and extremely tender.
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Transfer the soup (you’ll most likely need to do this step in batches) to a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix, and puree until smooth. Transfer the pureed soup back into the soup pot. Season to taste with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, and and freshly ground pepper. Keep over very low heat until ready to serve.
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Prepare the herb cream: Whip the cream until stiff (*I prefer to beat the cream by hand in a small bowl with a whisk. It is a small amount and only takes about 2 to 3 minutes tops). Add the salt and fold in the chopped chives. Serve the soup and add a dollop of chive cream (I use two spoons to shape it into a quenelle) – it will float and slowly start to melt into the soup as you eat it. Garnish with finely sliced chives and serve immediately.
Tips for Success:
- When buying asparagus, you want to look for very firm stalks that have very tightly closed tops and moist ends. The thickness of the stalks is not an indication of when the asparagus was picked, but the age of the asparagus plant. For more asparagus storage tips, read this guide.
- If you’d prefer to skip the chive cream, I recommend adding a splash of cream (2 tablespoons or so) into the soup, just before serving, to give it a touch of creaminess. Garnish with fresh chives and a light drizzle of olive oil.
- Achieving the Perfect Smoothness: For an incredibly silky soup, ensure all vegetables are very tender before blending. A high-powered blender is ideal, but a regular blender will work too – just blend in smaller batches and for a bit longer.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving! A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens all the flavors, and don’t be shy with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to bring out the best in the ingredients.
- Storage: Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The chive cream is best made fresh, but you can store whipped cream separately for a day or two.
This post is sponsored by Imagine®. For more information on their products and where to find them, please visit their website or use their store locator. Thanks for supporting the brands I love and use in my own kitchen!
We hope this detailed guide inspires you to create your own batch of this delightful Creamy Asparagus Potato Soup with Chive Cream. It’s a dish that perfectly encapsulates the joy and freshness of spring, offering a warm embrace on a cool evening or a bright, light meal to celebrate the longer, sunnier days. Share it with loved ones, or savor a bowl by yourself – either way, it’s a taste of spring you won’t soon forget!