RECIPE: REC: Asparagus Veloute. This recipe uses the tough asparagus butts that you might throw away..

RECIPE:

joe

Well-known member
It's from Patricia Wells' Paris book which I don't own, so I can't give her exact proportions, but proportions don't really matter. This is an intensly flavored, velvety soup that Patricia serves in demitasse cups as an hors d'oeuvres. I like a big ol' bowl of it. It's good hot or cold.

Chopped leeks

Chopped asparagus stems--the tough parts, roughly the same amount as the leeks

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Chicken stock or broth

"Sweat" the leeks (cook covered over low heat) in a little oil with salt until tender, about 15 minutes. Add the chopped asparagus and sweat another 15 minutes. Add enough stock to barely cover the vegetables and pepper to taste. Simmer until vegetables are very tender. Puree in a blender and then pass through a food mill. Correct seasoning.

 
There was a similar, delicious recipe in the last Fine Cooking...

It also uses the ends of the asparagus, and the green sections of the leeks, which is fairly rare.

 
I'll include the leek greens next time--thanks. All the tough fiber gets strained out anyway.

 
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