Recipe - Zuppa Di Asparagi (Calabrian Asparagus Soup)

2 Garlic clove; minced
2 tablespoon Olive oil; extravirgin
2 pound Asparagus; trimmed & cut
into 1" pieces
2 teaspoon Salt
One half teaspoon Pepper, black
4 cup Vegetable broth; OR
4 cup Lowsodium chicken broth
4 Eggs
One half cup Parmesan; grated, plus extra
for serving
6 sl Italian bread; toasted

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.

In a small bowl, beat the eggs with One half 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.

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

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

We Called It Macaroni
by Nancy Verde Barr
Alfred A. Knopf