Calabrian Asparagus Soup

Servings: 6
Ingredients:

2    Clove garlic - minced
2 tb Olive oil - extra-virgin
2 lb Asparagus - trimmed and cut
-into 1-inch pieces
2 ts Salt
1/2 ts Freshly ground pepper
4 c  Vegetable Broth - (see
-recipe) OR canned low-
Sodium chicken broth
4    Eggs
1/2 c  Parmesan - fresly grated OR
-Pecorino, PLUS extra
For serving
6 sl Italian bread - toasted

Number of Servings: 6

1. In a large saucepan, cook the garlic in the olive oil over moderate
heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the
asparagus and cook until bright green, about 5 minutes. Add the salt,
pepper and Vegetable Broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to
moderately low and simmer until the asparagus are tender, about 15 minutes.

2. In a small bowl, beat the eggs with 1/2 cup of the cheese. Reduce the
heat to low so that the soup is no longer simmering, and very slowly ladle
about 2 cups of the hot soup into the beaten eggs, whisking constantly.
Once incorporated, gradually stir the egg mixture into the soup in the
saucepan. Increase the heat to moderately low and cook the soup, whisking
constantly, until it just thickens, about 8 minutes. Do not allow the soup
to boil or the eggs will curdle. Remove from the heat.

3. Place one slide of toasted bread into each soup bowl. Ladle the hot
soup on top and serve with additional grated cheese.

Serves 6.

NOTE: Thickening soup with bread is typical of rustic Italian cooking, in
which nothing goes to waste. The toasts may be made from day-old or
slightly stale bread. Serve with a Sauvignon Blanc.

Posted by Michelle Bass. Courtesy of Fred Peters.