Quick And Hearty Asparagus Soup

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 6 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Ready Time: 40 mins


• cut the asparagus spears into bite-size pieces; set the tips aside. divide the spear pieces into two separate microwave-safe containers. place 1/2 tablespoon butter in each bowl. loosely cover both containers and place in the microwave oven; cook on high until the asparagus is completely soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• while the asparagus steams, melt 1/2 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; cook the onion and garlic in the butter until soft, about 5 minutes. sprinkle in the flour and stir briskly for 1 minute. add the chicken soup, milk, hot pepper sauce, salt, pepper, liquid smoke, and the steamed asparagus stalks; cook until heated through, 7 to 10 minutes.
• pour about 3/4 of the soup into a blender in batches, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree. puree until smooth and pour into a clean pot. add the remaining 1/4 of the soup into the pureed soup; stir in the asparagus spears. cook until thoroughly reheated, about 5 minutes.