Tuesday 25 May 2010

Spargelcremesuppe / Asparagus cream soup


Germans go nuts over spargel. The previous statement is not an overrated one. It is 100% true. When I came to Germany my labmate got a bundle of spargel from one of her friend. Her face was shining more than usual and I am very curious to know what that white coloured bundle was. She told me it is spargel and it is called as asparagus in english. I asked her how she will prepare it. She said she will prepare soup out of it or just cook and eat them. This vegetable is available only during a particular time period  (end of april to end of june) and they call this period as asparagus time or ''spargelzeit''. Every hotel in Germany will serve a special meal with spargel at this time.

Spargel come in green and white colour. The white ones are German's favourite. White asparagus are costly because of the enormous labour associated with its cultivation. The fields on which white asparagus is grown will be covered with a thick cover to prevent sun light entering the cultivation area. This totally prevents the photosynthesis and hence the white clour of the white-asparagus. The harvest of asparagus is also a time-consuming and labour-intensive process. It has to be harvested with hand. Because of all these reasons they also cost much. But nothing prevents Germans from enjoying this mild variety, nutty flavoured spargel. 

The amino acid asparagine got its name from Asparagus officinalis since it is rich in it. It has no cholesterol and contains very less calories and sodium. It is also a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc, and a very good source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, rutin, niacin, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium (Source : wikipedia). 

I got this recipe from a German cookbook, which I borrowed from a friend ( Thank you Julia !!) . This is my first try and I should say the soup turned out to be several times yummy than the commercially available soup powder.  Healthy, wholesome and very satisfying, one should definitely try this German delicacy.


 


Ingredients :

Asparagus- one bundle (10-12 stalks)
Whole milk- one cup ( I substituted milk for cream)
Spring onions- 1 bunch
Refined wheat flour or maida- 2 tbspns
Butter- 1 tbspn
Salt and black pepper to taste

Method :

Wash and peel the asparagus. It has a thick outer sheath. With a peeler remove that outer sheath. Discard the bottom muddy and woody region too (1/2 inch). Now cut the asparagus into small pieces and boil them in water for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and save both the water and the cooked asparagus shoots. When the asparagus shoots cool down grind them to a smooth paste using a food processor. Now add the ground paste into the water in which asparagus was cooked and mix well. Take a pot and heat it. Melt the butter in it. Now add maida and fry it until it acquires a light brown colour. Add some minced spring onions too. When the flour becomes light brown add the asparagus mixture (ground asparagus in water). Add a cup of milk and bring it to a boil.  Simmer the mixture for another 5 minutes. Add salt to taste. When serving garnish with freshly ground black pepper and minced spring onions. A rich and  creamy asparagus soup will be ready to be relished.

Taste enhancing tips for this recipe : Take care to romove the outer sheath and the bottom muddy shoot. If you do not remove the outer sheath properly the preparation acquires a bitter taste. Make it more creamy and not watery. Happy cooking !!!

24 comments:

  1. Asparagus if yummy to eat, love the stir fry them. Soup looks so delicious.

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  2. I love asparagus soups too. This one looks delecious :)

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  3. Manju.

    Asparagus soup looks really yummy. I love the color .

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  4. Wow! Easy and delicious looking soup, i love these soups in the evening with some crusty rolls.

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  5. Nice and creamy soup, nice idea to use asparagus this way

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  6. New to me. Sounds great and healthy. Thanks for the nutritional information.
    Thanks for giving suggestion at my blog regarding protein. I have protein powder with me, I'll include it atleast for one meal daily.

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  7. That is yummy and creamy soup but never tried asparagus though.....

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  8. This surely looks creamy and thanks for explaining the spargel related facts.

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  9. manju wow asparagus soup..looks so creamy ..with milk and asparagus really new one.i like asparagus so sure will try this one..really a healthy choice yarr

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  10. Spargel suppe is really creamy and yummy....Like to have some now.We too like the white spargel.

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  11. I love asparagus, it's healthy and got lots of nutrition value. Yummy and comforting soup.

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  12. looks bful and delcious dear..awesome color..pls collect ur award from my blog

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  13. Beautiful bowl of comforting soup...

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  14. அஸ்பர்கஸ் சூப் மிகவும் வித்தியசமாக அருமையாக இருக்கின்றது..சூப்பர்ப்...நன்றி

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  15. This a very comforting and really tasty-looking soup...simple and easy preparation too...thanks for sharing this :)

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  16. I have bookmarked this soup recipe to try. It looks really healthy and delicious.

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  17. woww... mouth watering clicks.. thanks for sharing..

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  18. Forgot to mention that ilumban puli is a sour fruit usually used to make pickles or added in fish curries..

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  19. White Spargel soup looks perfect dear, nice idea using asparagus in soup dear very healthy opiton.

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  20. Thank you friends :) Thanks yummy for the info :) Thnaks NS, thats nice to know. Not with one meal include some proteinaceous food with every meal. That helps in many ways. Sanyukta Thanks a lot. Sure I will do. Thats very kind of you.

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  21. Yummy Soup. Never tried and will try soon. Manju, Thanks for sharing the wounderful Asparagus story and about the Germans.

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  22. story is very nice manju...do we get this one in india here?

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  23. Anu, unfortunately we do not get them in India. But I think we have lot more delicasies native to India itself :)

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  24. Thats truly comforting bowl of soup.

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