Recipe - Asparagus Soup

STOCK
1 pound Asparagus,thin*
1 cup Leeks greens,roughly chopped
1 Bay leaf
1 Carrot,peeled and chopped
1 Celery stalk,chopped
4 Parsley branches
One half teaspoon Salt
8 cup Water,cold

SOUP
3 tablespoon Butter
3 Leeks,white parts, cut or sliced up
One half teaspoon Salt
1 tablespoon Parsley,chopped
7 cup Stock
One half cup Light cream (opt)
Pepper
1 teaspoon Grated lemon peel
Parmesan,grated,for garnish

* lower ends only

*** STOCK ***

Snap the lower end of the asparagus where they break easily when bent.
Rinse the ends well and roughly chop them into 1" pieces. Combine the
rest of the stock ingredients in a stock pot, bring to a boil, simmer
2025 minutes, and then strain.

*** SOUP ***

Cut off the tips of the asparagus and set aside. Roughly chop the
stems into 1" pieces. Melt the butter in a soup pot, add the leeks,
and cook over mediumhigh heat for 23 minutes, stirring as needed.
Add the asparagus stems, salt and parsley. Pour in 5 cups of the
stock and bring to a boil; then simmer until asparagus is just
tender, about 6 minutes. Blend the soup in a blender. Return soup to
pot, stir in cream, if using, and thin it with more stock if
necessary. Season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon peel. In
another pot, bring a few cups of water to a boil with a little salt.
Cook the asparagus tips 1 One half to 2 minutes until they are done. Add
them to the soup. Bring soup to a gentle simmer.

From Tuscon area newspapers, 1994, 3rd quarter, courtest Mike Orchekowski.
File ftp://ftp.idiscover.co.uk/pub/food/mealmaster/recipes/tn94q3.zip