Creamless Asparagus Soup

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled & chopped
• 3 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 6 cups vegetable stock, homemade or canned
• 1 medium potato, peeled & grated
• 2 lbs fresh asparagus, stems peeled & sliced into 1/2 inch thick rounds,tips set aside
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Recipe

• 1 in soup pot, melt butter or margarine over medium heat; add onion, celery& carrots and cook until tender (4-5 minutes.) add salt, thyme, bay leaves, mustard seeds and pepper, stirring to coat the veggies.
• 2 add stock, potato, and sliced asparagus; bring to a boil.
• 3 reduce heat& partially cover, then simmer for 30 minutes.
• 4 remove the bay leaves, puree half the soup in a blender or processor, and return to the pot- or use a stick blender right in the pot.
• 5 add the reserved asparagus tips and simmer 4-5 minutes.
• 6 remove from heat and stir in the garlic.
• 7 garnish each serving with the chopped fresh dill.