Vegan Cream of Asparagus Soup

A simple vegan cream of asparagus soup is enhanced with the addition of peas and leafy greens. If ever there was a soup that celebrates spring, it would be this one.

Now that asparagus is sold nearly year-round, it’s not as much of a “sign of spring” as it used to be, but still, I think of it as such and think it tastes best in its true season.

Though this doesn’t make a large pot full of soup, each serving has a lovely intensity. I’ve been making a version of this soup since time immemorial, or at least since the 1980s!

It’s a fairly quick-cooking soup, since you want to retain the green color and fresh flavor of the ingredients. A great first course to serve with everyday or special occasion springtime meals, this soup goes well with just about any kind of fare. Delicious with our Savory Fresh Vegetable Muffins.

SOME ASPARAGUS TIPS (Excuse the pun)

• Slender asparagus is often seen in spring, but too slender isn’t a good thing. You want stalks that are succulent, or you’ll just be getting lots of skin and little flavor. 
• Choose bundles of asparagus with firm spears; the tips should be closed, plump and green.
• Avoid asparagus with withered tips and/or bottoms that look very woody and pale — a sure sign that it’s past its peak.

STORAGE

• If you won’t be using your asparagus right away (though you should use it within a day or two of buying), wrap the ends of the stalks with a damp paper towel and put them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
• You can also stand asparagus spears upright in a glass filled with 2 to 3 inches of cool water. That’s even better! 

WHEN YOU’RE READY TO USE IT

• Wash the asparagus stalks, then cut about an inch off the stem ends.
• If the skin looks tough toward the stem end, peel about half of the stalks toward the stem end with a vegetable peeler. This isn’t a lot of fun to do, but your finished dish will be that much better for it!

Here are lots more delectable vegan asparagus recipes.

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Yield: 4 to 6

Vegan Cream of Asparagus Soup

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A simple vegan cream of asparagus soup is enhanced with the addition of peas and leafy greens.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds asparagus, preferably medium-thick spears
• 1 large or 2 medium potatoes, finely diced
• 32-ounce carton vegetable broth ,or 4 cups water with 1 or 2 vegetable bouillon cubes
• 2 cups frozen green peas, thawed
• 2 big handfuls baby spinach or other baby greens
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro leaves
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups plain plant-based milk
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1/2 medium orange or red bell pepper, finely diced, for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion and garlic and sauté over medium-low heat until the onion is golden. 
2. Meanwhile, cut about an inch off the bottoms of the asparagus stalks and discard. Scrape off any tough skin with a vegetable peeler (though if you’ll be using a high-speed blender, no need to scrape). Cut the stalks into approximately 1-inch pieces. Set aside the tips for later use.
3. Add the asparagus pieces, potato, and broth to the soup pot. Bring to a slow boil, then then cover and simmer gently until the asparagus and potatoes are tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. 
4. Stir in the peas, greens, and parsley, and cook briefly, just until the greens are wilted. Remove from the heat.
5. Transfer the mixture to a blender (in batches if need be). Process until smoothly pureed, then stir back into the soup pot. 
6. Return to low heat. Add enough nondairy milk to give the soup a medium-thick consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Cook briefly, just until piping hot, then remove from the heat.
7. Steam the reserved asparagus tips in a small skillet with a little water until just tender-crisp, then drain.
8. Serve  at once, or let the soup stand for an hour or so off the heat to develop even more flavor, then heat through before serving. Top each serving with a few of the steamed asparagus tips, plus any of the other garnishes you’d like to use.

If you like this creamy green soup, you might also enjoy …

Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup

See lots more easy vegan soups & stews.