Creamy Ham and Asparagus Soup

Name: Creamy Ham and Asparagus Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups cut fresh asparagus (1-inch pieces); 1 medium carrot, julienned; 2 tablespoons butter; 3 small onions, quartered; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 cup milk; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 cup cubed fully cooked ham; 1 jar (2-1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained; 1 cup half-and-half cream; Salt and pepper to taste; Grated Parmesan cheese, optional; Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Yield 4 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Like most country cooks, I often bake a large ham so that I can use leftovers in tasty dishes like this. Fresh asparagus is wonderful in this soup's creamy broth.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups cut fresh asparagus (1-inch pieces)
1 medium carrot, julienned
2 tablespoons butter
3 small onions, quartered
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup cubed fully cooked ham
1 jar (2-1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 cup half-and-half cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Directions

Place asparagus in a large saucepan with enough water to cover; cook until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside.
In a large heavy saucepan, saute carrot in butter for 3-5 minutes; add onions and saute 2 minutes longer or until tender. Stir in flour; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add broth, ham, mushrooms and reserved asparagus. Reduce heat; add cream. Heat through but do not boil. Add salt and pepper. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 285 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 881mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein.

Like most country cooks, I often bake a large ham so that I can use leftovers in tasty dishes like this. Fresh asparagus is wonderful in this soup's creamy broth.

Recipe Creator