Cream of Asparagus Soup

EVOO
1 Bunch Asparagus - Chopped, Tips set to the side
1/2 Onion - Chopped
2 Garlic Cloves - Chopped
1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
2 Cups Chicken Broth (low sodium)
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
2 tbsp Butter
2 tbsp Flour
1 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Sour Cream

In a medium size pot over med/high heat, add EVOO, enough to cover the bottom.  Add the onions and cook until translucent and slightly brown.  Add in the asparagus and garlic and cook another 5 minutes.

Add the cayenne, salt, pepper. Make sure the asparagus is soft.  Then add in the butter, melt, then flour.  Stir to combine.  Add in milk and sour cream.  Stir to combine.

Simmer about 10 minutes.  Using a blender or immersion blender, blend the soup to a creamy consistency.

Simmer about 5 minutes.  Adjust seasonings.

In a pan over high heat, add about 1 tbsp EVOO, a pinch of salt and pepper. Add in the tips of the asparagus.  Sautee about 1 minute, then add in about 3 tbsp water, cover and cook about 1 minute.

Spoon soup into bowl and garnish w/ asparagus tips, chicken, croutons, red peppers, etc,.

#Cheftainment

Prosciutto Wrapped Roasted Asparagus

1 Bunch Asparagus - Ends Trimmed

1 Garlic Clove - Minced

1 tbsp Dijon Mustard

2 + 1 tbsp Parmentino Cheese - Grated (substitute Parmesan if necessary)

1/2 tsp Black Pepper

4 Slices Prosciutto - Thinly Sliced

EVOO

In a large pot of boiling, salted water add the asparagus and cook for about 2 minutes.  Remove and plunge into an ice bath to stop the cooking and lock in the vibrant, green color.

Lay the slices of prosciutto out on a cutting board.  Spread the dijon evenly and sprinkle with 2 tbsp of the parmentino cheese, garlic and black pepper.

In 4 even bunches add the asparagus to the end of the proscuitto and roll up.  Sprinkle EVOO on a baking sheet and place the asparagus on and place in a preheated 450 degree oven and bake for about 10 minutes (turning after 5 minutes).

Place on a serving dish and sprinkle with remaining parmentino cheese.  Enjoy.

Pork Loin Veggie Lo Mein

EVOO

1 Cup Sliced Crimini Mushrooms

1 Cup Green Beans – ½” slices

½ Bunch Asparagus – ½ “ slices

1 Cup Broccoli – Chopped

1 Cup Red Peppers – Sliced & Cut in ½

1 Savoy Cabbage – Shredded

2 Cups Pork Loin – Cooked & Sliced

1 Cup Bean Sprouts

1 lb Spaghetti

Sauce:

4 tbsp Soy Sauce

1 tbsp Sesame Oil

3 tbsp Dijon Mustard

3 tbsp Brown Sugar

2 tbsp Peanut Butter

½ tbsp Ginger – Grated

1 Cup Chicken Stock

2 Green Onions – Diced (for garnish)

2 tbsp Sesame Seeds (for garnish)

In a large sautee pan over med/high heat add 2 tbsp EVOO.  Add mushrooms and cook on each side to brown, about 3 minutes per side.  Remove mushrooms.  Add about 1 tbsp EVOO and add in green beans, asparagus, broccoli.  Cook about 5 minutes until browned.  Remove from pan.  Add 1 tbsp EVOO and cabbage.  Cook about 8 minutes until caramelized.

In a large pot of boiling water, cook spaghetti according to directions (about 8 minutes).  Reserve about 1 cup of liquid if needed to thin out sauce.

While pasta is cooking, in a small pan over med / low heat add soy sauce, sesame oil, mustard, brown sugar, peanut butter, ginger and chicken stock.  Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring to combine and not burn.

In a large bowl add in the pasta, veggies, bean sprouts, cooked pork loin and the sauce.  Combine fully.  If needed to thin out the sauce add in some of the pasta water.

Garnish with green onions & sesame seeds.  Enjoy.