Saffron flavored Asparagus soup


Green asparagus is a bit grassy in flavor but it's considered to be the most nutritious vegetable of this season, providing a good source of vitamin K, potassium, calcium , vitamins B and C, folid acid, beta-carotene, and antioxydants. It's not necessary to spend a lot of calories to get those benefits as 3 spears of asparagus add up to 9 calories and you get 1 gram of fiber...

There are many ways to cook this spring vegetable.
Its season is short, and you have to make the most of it. So serve it a few times in different ways. You can simply steam it and season with olive oil, garlic, pepper, and shredded cheese, or roast it with parmesan and garlic or lemony breadcrumbs. You can mix in risotto with fresh spring peas, parsley, and parmesan. But I have my own recipe that I'm glad to share with you. Today I have prepared a delicious saffron flavored asparagus soup. Tight your apron and cook it in your kitchen! 
Here it is:


INGREDIENTS (6 serving)
2 pounds green asparagus
1 medium-sized organic zucchini
1 onion
Half of a beef cube
750ml water
150ml water
400ml half & half milk + 100ml for infusing the saffron
10g salted butter
30 saffron stigmates
1 tsp baking soda
Salt and ground pepper

DIRECTIONS
The day before, or 4 hours in advance minimum, crush the saffron threads with a morter and infuse it in 100ml warm milk, cover and chill.
Peel and slice the onion thinly. 
Wash and cut the zucchini in big cubes.
Cut the hard base of the asparagus.
Peel 1/3 of the stalks to the bottom. Slice it.
Keep the tips aside.
In a cooking pot over medium heat, put butter and add the sliced onion, zucchini cubes and sliced asparagus (without the tips). Sauté for a couple of minutes and combine. Melt the beef cube in hot water to get a stock. Add the stock to the vegetables.
Cook for 20 minutes over medium heat, add baking soda and mix. 
Add the asparagus tips and cook for 5 more minutes. Add 400ml milk and the saffron flavored milk. Stir to combine. 
Serve warm. But you can also serve it cold as a summer soup.

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