Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Spare Guts Soup

I have finally found it. Well, actually, that implies I've been working at it for a while. This is the first time I've tried the recipe but it worked! And it was good!
What you may ask?
California Pizza Kitchen's Asparagus Soup.


It's delicious. And dairy free. That makes it even better.
But it doesnt taste dairy free. It tastes delicious and creamy. Im adicted. And I've finally learned to make it!
The trick is the use of chicken broth. And an imersion blender. Ours is red. (Colored tools make's the food taste better!)
Soooo here's how it worked,

I simmered 1/2 an onion and two cloves of garlic with a little bit of oil in 1/3 a can of chicken broth in a small saucepan.

I dumped in a whole bundle of skinny tender asparagus snapped into inch and a half size pieces.

Added some salt, pepper and another can of chicken broth.

Cooked until asaparagus got mushy.

Took the saucepan off heat and immersion blendered the stuff to bits. Actually to purree. Grown up baby food I think.

CPK's has a bit more kick, but I wasn't QUITE sure how to get there safely, seeing as normally I prefer mild flavors. Im a bit afraid I might cross the line and once you cross it with spice, and kick Im not sure how to take it back.

Since the soup was an experiment I only made a small amount. Not nearly enough for sharing to fill Luke up. The back up plan:

Mohito Lime chicken, lemon asparagus and white rice seasoned similiarly.

It was good. Very good. The secret::
These little packets are magic! Especially this one. It's my favorite! I couldnt find it in Fresno so I bought 10 packets in Moscow just in case. Then we move to Co Springs and I've seen it in almost every store. Figures.

The thing I'm not seeing so much of....some good stone fruit. It just cant be found. Or at least not an my locations on my hours. Sigh. Most of what I'm seeing is rock hard, picked early in California and shipped to the uninformed consumers who don't know how a GOOD peach should feel/look/taste. If youre heading out this way....bring fruit. Fresno area fruit just cant be beat. I'm really missing the amazing peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums of last summer. I think that's when I truly learned to appreciate it.

4 comments:

The Luedtke Family said...

Yep, that's how we always get our "stone fruit". Except, Michigan has some wonderful peaches if we choose to splurge. Around here we have good fresh berries. But in the fall, our apples are incredible!

You'll find your local specialties. I still miss WI cheeses and the locally grown popcorn. I miss the MN wild rice in every store. Right now we are enjoying the bounty of our garden. Of which I should capture in pictures!

Grandma G said...

Well, glad to see that's back, and that I wasn't dreaming... or losing my mind. ;)

Now I forgot what I was going to say.

Becca said...

One day I hope I can be an incredible chef like you! Everything you post looks A-mazing!

Anonymous said...

What time is dinner? Can the Linares's come? Looks yummy! Luke is lucky you LOVE to cook. Sounds like CO springs is agreeing with you! :) Thanks for keeping us in the loop!