Asparagus Summer Soup

Absolutely delicious!

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and peeled
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 5 cups chicken broth, divided
• 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
• 1 pound fresh spinach, stemmed, divided
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.125 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream, or more to taste

Steps

1. Cut asparagus stalks into 1-inch pieces; reserve tips in a bowl.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup chicken broth and leeks; cover and cook until leeks are tender, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus stalks; cover and cook for 3 minutes.
3. Pour remaining 4 2/3 cups chicken broth into the Dutch oven. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until asparagus is very tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add 2 packed cups spinach and sugar; cook until spinach is tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Puree soup with an immersion blender until very smooth.
5. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in flour until well blended; cook for 1 minute.
6. Whisk flour mixture into the pureed soup until smooth and blended. Season soup with salt and white pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and stir in peas. Simmer until peas are barely tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in asparagus tips; simmer until tender, about 5 minutes.
7. Pour heavy cream into the soup. Cook until heated through but not boiling, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in remaining spinach; cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.