For this soup, made with fresh asparagus, ham stock, and red potatoes, you get to decide just how creamy you want it to be by the amount of dairy you use to make it. Add 1-cup of heavy whipping cream for a smooth, delicious, and easy-to-make everyday asparagus soup. Or, add additional cream, for an over-the-top soup that is even more decadent. It’s all up to you and what you prefer.
Recipes are not written in stone, and I am constantly surprised by the number of people I encounter that seem to think that they are. Fools; uninspired, ignorant, unimaginative fools. Recipes are a guideline, they give you something to work with. If you don’t like an ingredient, leave it out. If you like your food spicy, add hot sauce, jalapeños, or some other form of spicy love. If you like things salty, add more salt. If you have an almost romantic relationship with black pepper, sprinkle it on liberally. Basically, you do you. Who am I to disapprove? After all, you’re the one who has to eat what you make. And when it comes to this creamy asparagus soup, made with ham stock, I’m leaving it up to you to decide just how creamy you want it to be. Add 1-cup of heavy whipping cream for a creamy everyday soup. However, if you’re feeling that you deserve something just a bit more decadent, add more cream. When it comes to this soup, a little more cream isn’t going to ruin anything.
Ingredients:
- 1 Bunch Fresh Asparagus
- 10 Cups Ham Stock
- 4 Medium Red Potatoes, Peeled & Cubed
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Chives
- 1 Teaspoon Sweet Paprika (Additional for Serving)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper (Additional for Serving)
- 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream (Add More for a Creamier Soup)
- Hot Sauce
Directions:
- Wash the asparagus, snap the tough ends off, and then discard the ends. Cut the remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch sized pieces.
- Place the asparagus, ham stock, and red potatoes into a large stockpot over high heat.
- When the mixture comes to a boil, cover it, lower the heat to medium-low, and continue cooking for 30 minutes.
- Purée the mixture with an immersion blender or in small batches with a traditional blender until smooth.
- Pour the mixture back into the stockpot. Add the parsley, chives, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes on medium-low.
- Add the heavy whipping cream and cook for an additional 5 minutes on medium-low.
- Garnish the soup with additional paprika, black pepper, and hot sauce before serving.
Suggestions:
- For this soup, I used homemade ham stock made from a spiral-cut glazed ham. If you are using ham stock from a plain ham, you may want to add a pinch of ground cloves, a pinch of ground cinnamon, and 1-tablespoon of brown sugar.
- To make homemade ham stock, place a ham bone in a large pot, fill the pot with cold water, and then bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for 2 hours. Strain out any ham, fat, and bones before use.
- The amount of salt you use in this recipe will vary depending on how salty your ham is. Before serving, taste the soup, and then add 1/4-teaspoon at a time until you achieve the desired saltiness.
- Don’t feel like you have to use ham stock for this recipe. While it does add great flavor, you can also use chicken or vegetable stock.
- If you are using a traditional blender, make sure to purée this soup in batches. If you don’t, you will be cleaning asparagus soup off of every surface in your kitchen. I suggest puréeing the soup in at least three batches.
- For an even thicker, creamier, and more decadent soup, add additional heavy whipping cream to this soup. I suggest adding a 1/4-cup at a time until you achieve the desired thickness and creaminess you are searching for.
Improvements:
- Serve with freshly grated cheese. I suggest a sharp white cheddar.
- Replace the dried herbs in this recipe with fresh herbs. If using fresh herbs, double the amount.
- Add a clove or two of finely minced or crushed garlic to this soup.
- CLICK HERE to see a list of all of our other fantastic soup, chili, stew, and chowder recipes.
Ingredients:
- 1 Bunch Fresh Asparagus
- 10 Cups Ham Stock
- 4 Medium Red Potatoes, Peeled & Cubed
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Chives
- 1 Teaspoon Sweet Paprika (Additional for Serving)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper (Additional for Serving)
- 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream (Add More for a Creamier Soup)
- Hot Sauce
Directions:
- Wash the asparagus, snap the tough ends off, and then discard the ends. Cut the remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch sized pieces.
- Place the asparagus, ham stock, and red potatoes into a large stockpot over high heat.
- When the mixture comes to a boil, cover it, lower the heat to medium-low, and continue cooking for 30 minutes.
- Purée the mixture with an immersion blender or in small batches with a traditional blender until smooth.
- Pour the mixture back into the stockpot. Add the parsley, chives, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes on medium-low.
- Add the heavy whipping cream and cook for an additional 5 minutes on medium-low.
- Garnish the soup with additional paprika, black pepper, and hot sauce before serving.
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Make sure to check out all of the other great Sunday Funday “Celebrate Dairy!” recipes below. A huge thanks to Making Miracles for hosting this event.
- Blackberry Peach Overnight Oats by Palatable Pastime
- Cheesy Eggplant Pork Roast Rolls by Food Lust People Love
- Chocolate Pots de Creme by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Creamy Asparagus Soup with Ham Stock by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Creamy Steak Fettuccine by Making Miracles
- Doodh Poha/Rice Flakes In Milk by Sneha’s Recipe
- Fresh Turmeric Chaas by Mayuri’s Jikoni
- Homemade Chocolate Pudding by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Kesar Lassi (Saffron Lassi) – Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream by Cooking with Carlee