Springtime Menu

I taught teens on Saturday at Cook's Warehouse and the menu was Special Springtime Meal.  Perfect timing with spring happening officially last Friday.

The menu:

• Springtime Asparagus Soup
• Chicken or Tilapia with Lemon Cream Sauce
• Herbed Risotto
• Dulce de Leche Ice Cream Sundaes

Asparagus are in season now and one of my favorite vegetables.  The soup is a nice, creamy soup without the addition of cream.  Try some for yourself.

Springtime Asparagus Soup from Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison

• 1 1/2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
• 1 large leek, chopped
• 6 cups water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion chopped
• 2 tablespoons rice
• salt and pepper to taste
• lemon juice

1. Slice the asparagus into 2 parts, the tips and the middles.
2. Heat the oil in a soup pot.  Add the leek, onion and rice and saute over medium high heat for about 8 minutes until the onion is slightly colored.
3. Add 1 cup water and stew for 12 minutes.
4. Add the chopped middle asparagus and remining water and simmer, partially covered, for 15 minutes.  Cool briefly and puree,   Strain to get rid of any fibers.
5. Taste for salt, add a few drops of lemon juice and season with pepper.
6. Meanwhile, blanch the tips, cool and add to soup.

The creaminess comes from the rice, very nice.  You may need additional time cooking the asparagus depending on the thickness. 

I took a few pictures but we were busy and I just forgot after the first set.  When I was preparing for the class and deciding on the plan for cooking, it looked like I maybe was pushing the limits of possibility.  No problems, the student chefs did a great job, we sat down to eat about 1:10 and the meal was delicious. 

I had a chiropractor appointment this morning and hopefully that will take care of the headaches I've been having.  It's been hard to concentrate.  I have laundry to do, dinner to get prepped before Jazzercise and need to look at my calendar to make sure I'm on track!

I had a great call this morning from a PTA president about doing some classes for teens at high school.  More fun! 

Also my friend Laurey is biking across the United States, yes the United States, to raise awareness of Ovarian Cancer.  She started in San Diego and is in Texas now, so check in on her ride and encourage her if you'd like.  She updates her travels in her blog.