Cream of Leek and Asparagus Soup

This soup is a great way to celebrate asparagus, and the addition of leeks in the recipe gives a boost of extra iron as well as delicious flavor. This sumptuous soup tastes even better if made a day ahead, and it can serve as a creamy and satisfying main meal alongside a tender salad and some crusty wholegrain bread. 

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 cup chopped onion

2 large celery stalks, diced

1 ½ pounds asparagus

6 large leeks, white and palest green parts only, chopped and well rinsed

vegetable stock (about 3 cups or as needed)

½ teaspoon each: dried tarragon and dried basil

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

1 to 1 ½ cups low-fat milk or soymilk, as needed

salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste 

Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion and celery and saute over moderate heat until the onion is golden. 

Risotto Primavera

This is a twist on the technique to cooking a classic risotto, and it only takes 6 minutes of continuous stirring, as opposed to 18, because this risotto cooks undisturbed for the first 12 minutes. It is a quick and easy meal for two, using the following ingredients:

- 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

- 1/2 cup water

- 4 tsp olive oil

- 3 oz cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced thin

- 1 small onion, chopped fine (I used 3 scallions)

- 1/2 cup Arborio rice

- 3 oz asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

- 1/4 cup frozen peas

- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil

- 1 tbsp unsalted butter

- 2 tsp lemon juice

- salt and pepper to taste

Asparagus and Gorgonzola Souffle

I had this recipe on my mind ever since Alina posted the "Sweet Romania" challenge on her blog. Tonight I finally got around to make it and I must say the result is delicious, fluffy and light. This must be one of the easiest souffles ever, and the combination of asparagus with Gorgonzola cheese is amazing. It doesn't just taste fantastic, but it also looks elegant and beautiful (I'm very modest, I know! :))).

Asparagus, Corn and Bacon Quiche

I haven't posted anything in a week, I know, but work is taking up all of my time. I'll try to redeem myself with this very tasty and quick quiche, for which you'll need:

- 1 lb asparagus, woody ends trimmed

- 4 oz bacon, finely sliced (optional)

- 1 medium onion, finely chopped

- 1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed

- one handful of sun-dried tomatoes, sliced (optional)

- 2 eggs

- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

- 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese

- salt and pepper to taste

- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed and rolled out for a 10-inch tart form

First and foremost, fry the bacon in a non-stick pan. When it's done, take out the bacon on a plate, leaving the fat in the pan, because the asparagus will go in there immediately

Asparagus Soup - Supa de sparanghel

We need:

Sunt necesare:
 

- 1 lb young asparagus - 1/2 kg sparanghel

- 40 gr butter- 40 gr unt

- 3 onions, sliced - 3 cepe, taiate julienne

- 600 ml vegetable stock or water - 600 ml supa de legume sau apa

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 lingura suc de lamaie

- 1 cup of milk- 1 cana (250 ml) lapte

- 1/2 cup single cream - 1/2 cana smantana lichida

- salt and freshly grounded black pepper - sare si piper negru proaspat macinat

Trim the stalks of the asparagus and cut 1 inch off the tops of the asparagus and set aside for a garnish.

Curatati sparanghelul si taiat cam 2,5 cm din varfuri, pastrati-le pentru decor 

Risotto cu sparanghel, menta si lamaie, reteta lui Jamie Oliver - Asparagus, mint and lemon risotto (recipe by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredientele, in toata splendoarea lor:

The ingredients:

Menta trebuia sa fie proaspata, insa in casa am avut doar uscata, iar supa de legume, un litru, era pe foc. Sa nu-mi ziceti de parmezanul gata ras, stiu si eu, de-asta au avut la magazinul de jos

The recipe calls for fresh mint, but I only had dried. The vegetable stock, 1 quart and 2 tablespoons (one liter), was simmering in another pot. Don't blame me for the already grated Parmesan, that's what I found at the grocery store downstairs.

Am taiat ceapa si telina

Chop the onion and celery stalks