I reviewed the book, The Complete Kitchen Garden, a few years back and this asparagus soup recipe has become a favorite for spring!
Every now and then you come across a cookbook and you know by the end of the year the pages will be lovingly spotted with random ingredients due to an extended time of it being open in the kitchen.
I’ve found that cookbook, and the only exception is that the pages of this one will likely be filled with smudges from dirty thumbs as well; dirty thumbs that have been hard at work in the garden.
I received a copy of The Complete Kitchen Garden 
In it are plans and tips for 14 distinct gardens from The Salad Lover’s Garden to The Family Garden. What I like about this book is its simplicity. The tips are straightforward which prevent the reader from having to do a lot of searching for information that can be applied.
Last year was our first year of having a large garden, and despite the fact that we had decent success (with much help from my dad), I still find myself confused regarding what I did right and what I could improve on.
After reading this book, I have a much better grasp of what foods I should plant from seed and which I should start from plants. I also have all kinds of ideas of how to lay out our garden this year to make it more accessible and productive. The pictures and sketched garden plans in this book make everything come to life.
Now, about those recipes. It is impossible to pick a favorite. I cannot wait for garden and farmer’s market season so that I can make them all! Well, okay, except for the ones with beets, but that is just because I don’t like beets.
Rainbow Chard Enchiladas, Lemon Ricotta Fritters with Lavender Honey, Braised Winter Greens with Coconut and Curry, and Arugula and Mint Thai Soup are just a few of the 100 seasonal recipes the book features. And oh, the salad dressings! All kinds of delicious dressings to complement fresh greens can be found. There’s a good chance I’ll be making all of the dressings this summer.
So after reading all this I know you can’t wait to see which recipe I got to try out. How about Asparagus Soup with Coconut Lemon Crème?
The author describes this soup as:
The first tender spears of asparagus are best enjoyed fresh and whole from the garden, but as the season progresses, the stalks get larger, and the crop more abundant, this is an excellent soup to prepare. Its light, lemony flavors blended with a hint of curry are delicious served warm or chilled, and topped with crème fraiche.
I didn’t have any crème fraiche nor the ingredients to make my own, so I substituted plain Greek yogurt. It too went wonderfully with the soup. As simple as the ingredients are, I found the soup to have such complex flavors between the asparagus, potatoes, coconut milk, curry, and lemon. It is warming and perfect for a cool spring day while also being refreshing.
Be generous with the lemon. I found it really brought out the flavors of both the coconut milk and the asparagus.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 12 to 18 asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch lengths (2 cups)
- 4 medium red-skinned potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (2 cups)
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup (8-ounce can) coconut milk
- Dash salt
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Garnish
- 1 cup crème fraiche
- Scallions or chives, finely chopped, to taste
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter and oil. Add the onion and salt and sauté stirring often, until the onion is golden, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the curry powder, ginger, and half of the lemon zest and juice. Then add the potatoes and simmer, stirring occasionally, to blend the flavors, about 5 minutes.
- Slowly add the broth, coconut milk, and asparagus and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover partially and continue to cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
- With an immersion blender, or in a food processor, puree the mixture until smooth. In a small bowl, blend the crème fraiche, remaining lemon zest and juice, scallions or chives, and salt and pepper.
- Serve the soup warm, garnished with a swirl of the seasoned crème fraiche.
Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was sent to me by Abram Books. I was under no obligation to write about it and received no compensation for doing so.
Lori, this asparagus soup look so yummie, love the idea of coconut and lemon…I definitely have to try this…lovely pictures as well 😉
The book sounds great and the recipes sound very creative. This is such a gorgeous soup–all of my favorite ingredients in it and it looks so creamy too.
Let me know if you want to send it to Souper Sundays (big hint!) 😉
What a lovely asparagus soup! The coconut lemon creme sounds amazing!
Love the concept of this book – it’s so nice to be able to get back to nature and to WORK with the food, right from when it’s a seed!
The soup sounds very tasty.
I’ve seen this recipe around but haven’t purchased it because I thought it would make me so sad that I don’t have a garden! After seeing this recipe though, I’m more sad that I don’t own the cookbook. Looks delicious!
We learn something new about our vegetable garden every year. Its funny though we find we grow less & less things because of our farmers market so we are down to tomatoes, peppers, kale, peas & beans.
The soup looks like a keeper for spring & those brief weeks of perfect local asparagus
I do miss our garden – the best I’ll be able to do will be a container garden. Still, judging from this delicious soup, the book sounds great! I love the combination of coconut milk and lemon, and will definitely have to try it out. 😎
Like Tangled Noodle, talking about this book makes me nostalgic for my garden. Since moving last year, I just have a very small backyard and no garden to speak of. Still, I can enjoy growing a few things in pots and bags and I can certainly enjoy this soup!
Juliana – The coconut and lemon went so well together.
Deb – Can’t believe I missed submitting it! I planned to, but the end of the week got away from me. Next time!
5 Star – It’s a delicious combo!
Sagan – It is such a great book. I will be referencing it all summer!
kat – I’m getting to the point where I’ll likely follow the authors advice. She only grows very different things she can’t get at her market. I will be mixing things up a lot this year.
Joanne – Even without a garden, you’ll use this book. It is great inspiration for shopping at the Farmer’s Market!
Tangled Noodle – I can completely understand missing the garden. I will admit, however, that many days when things were dying and weeds growing wild, I wished for one of the feiras in Brazil with produce cents per kilo! 🙂
Daily Spud – So glad you are taking the steps to keep some food growing even without a lot of space. I’m amazed what people can grow on balconies and in pots!
Love asparagus sound and the idea of lemon is a natural, but I am very intrigued by the coconut combo. Living in an apartment its the potted garden variety for me, but it is very exciting to see and especially use something I’ve grown.
This book looks great–I’ll have to check it out! And feel free to pass on your beets to me…we’re a beet-loving family! 🙂
Spring in a bowl! Love soup, another recipe to try.