Make Ahead

Asparagus & Green Garlic Soup w/ Parmesan Croutons

February 15, 2010
4
6 Ratings
  • Serves 2
Author Notes

Green garlic is just starting to show up in our little local markets and this soup is one I make every year about this time. This vibrant green soup is earthy and subtle and the green garlic adds a nice fragrant kick without being overwhelming. Try to find a good fruity olive oil to drizzle over top (something not too acidic or biting...something smooth) -- it really adds a layer of richness without being heavy. (I used Montebello Organic Extra Virgin which has an acidity below 5%) P.S. If you can't find green garlic you can substitute a few cloves of regular garlic, chopped and sauteed until translucent... —coffeefoodwrite

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • For the Asparagus Green Garlic Soup
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 28 spears)
  • 3 stems green garlic (w/ bulbs about ¾ inch round)
  • sea salt
  • 9 sprigs fresh thyme (plus more for garnish)
  • Parmesan Croutons (see recipe below)
  • olive oil (for cooking)
  • your very best olive oil (for drizzling)
  • 1 cup chicken stock (homemade or I like Wolfgang Puck’s organic)
  • ¼ cup white wine
  • For Parmesan Croutons:
  • 1 round rustic bread (about 5” in diameter)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons fresh grated parmesan
  • salt
  • fresh ground pepper
Directions
  1. For the Asparagus Green Garlic Soup
  2. Wash, dry and cut off thick bottom stems of asparagus. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper, distribute oil evenly and thoroughly throughout spears using either your hands or tongs and roast in 425 degree oven for about 9 minutes (until bright green and tender).
  3. Thinly slice whites of garlic and chop greens.
  4. Sauté whites and greens of garlic (reserving a few greens for garnish) with a sprinkling of sea salt in a little olive oil until whites are tender and almost translucent.
  5. Sauté roasted asparagus in a little olive oil to heat through and soften further (but make sure still bright green). (Note: You do this because the roasting of the asparagus adds an extra layer of flavor, but if you leave them in the oven long enough to soften them up, then ends become dark and the color dims -- you want a bright green beautiful soup...)
  6. In a blender add asparagus, garlic and oils from both pans and chicken stock. Blend on high until thick and somewhat smooth.
  7. Pour into saucepan over low to med-low heat (make sure it just gently warms through and does not boil so that you do not lose color).
  8. Chop thyme and add to soup along with the white wine. Stir and let slowly warm through (about 10-12 mins.). Adjust salt and pepper as necessary.
  9. Meanwhile make croutons (below)
  10. Ladle into bowls, garnish with a little chopped green garlic, a sprig of thyme, a drizzle of your very best (fruity) olive oil and a few parmesan croutons. Enjoy!
  11. Note: Healthy Version: Omit croutons...
  1. For Parmesan Croutons:
  2. Cut bread in half lengthwise and then cut into about 1 inch squares.
  3. Melt olive oil and butter in medium saucepan over medium heat.
  4. Turn heat up to medium high, add bread squares, generously sprinkle with salt and pepper (you want them to be a little more salty than usual to counter the mild subtle earthy flavor of the soup) and brown over medium high until lightly browned.
  5. Turn heat down to medium sprinkle have the cheese over the croutons, let brown, turn over, sprinkle with the rest of the cheese; let brown and then immediately remove to a plate to cool. (Cheese tends to cook quickly and burn so make sure you take them off right away after they are toasty-brown).

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • TheWimpyVegetarian
    TheWimpyVegetarian
  • Jennifer Ann
    Jennifer Ann
  • coffeefoodwrite
    coffeefoodwrite
  • monkeymom
    monkeymom
  • aargersi
    aargersi

14 Reviews

Bryan S. June 25, 2020
I made this soup last night. It was very thick (think pesto) and bland needing a lot of salt. My wife's comment says it all. "It's good...but just don't make it again."
 
Jen June 10, 2019
This was very yummy as written... I've since tried making it with roasted regular ol' garlic and was fantastic too!
 
coffeefoodwrite June 10, 2019
Hi Jen! Glad you liked it. The roasted garlic sounds delicious!
 
Jen March 2, 2019
Over many, many recipe sites I constantly see people commenting on how good the recipe looks or "sees", how they're going to make it and report back (they rarely, if ever do)... If you're going prematurely comment, then come back with the verdict... Quite frankly, when I don't see a return comment, I feel it most probably sucks... So yes, this seems like a premature comment with the promise of coming back... But I will. I feel 'coffeefoodwrite' deserves a critique and not food poets.... I am making this tonight and will report back...
 
JoJo June 10, 2019
This is one of the funniest comments I have ever seen on any website ever. Not true irony, but may I call it satire?
 
TheWimpyVegetarian February 19, 2010
I love green garlic and love asparagus! Sounds like a great recipe. I'm going to try this as soon as the green garlic shows up in my CSA box.
 
Jennifer A. February 19, 2010
We usually get green garlic in the first CSA delivery - I will keep my fingers crossed that it will arrive again this year, so that I can try this soup It sounds wonderful.
 
coffeefoodwrite February 19, 2010
Thanks, Jennifer Ann! Your chocolate olive oil cake with pine nuts looks great too. Looking forward to trying it!
 
coffeefoodwrite February 16, 2010
Thanks guys! Let me know how it turns out...
 
monkeymom February 16, 2010
So beautiful...with simple ingredients. I'm gonna try this as soon as I can find green garlic!
 
aargersi February 16, 2010
This looks WONDERFUL - I have a clump of garlic in my garden that volunteered from last year, I think it may get pulled up and made into this soup ....
 
Gale February 15, 2010
I am a Southern California native born and raised (La Jolla) who's now freezing her behind off in the wilds of rural VT raising organic apple and this made me sad that I have to wait until June or July for green garlic and asparagus. A great combination of flavors simply done. I am sure it will be worth the wait.
 
coffeefoodwrite February 15, 2010
Thnx. LND -- I love your blog. And the beautiful pics!
 
lastnightsdinner February 15, 2010
Oh, how I love green garlic - I'm bookmarking this for its first arrival in these parts :D Gorgeous dish!