Beat Bloat With This 5-Ingredient Asparagus Soup

vegan asparagus leek
Photo: Tatiana Boncompgni

Well+Good’s recipe writer Tatiana Boncompagni is a wellness reporter, group fitness instructor, and mom of three based in New York. She’s also the co-founder of Sculptologie. She believes that truly good food nourishes both the body and the soul, and that healthy food should be easy to make and even easier to enjoy. 

When I think of spring veggies, I automatically think of asparagus. Along with rhubarb and the first strawberries, asparagus is one of the first plants that reach peak freshness. It's also full of tons of vitamins (A, K, E, and B6) and minerals (folate, iron, copper, and calcium), and a prebiotic fiber called inulin that feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut. It’s also my go-to for when I’m feeling a little bloated.

The green contains lots of an amino acid called asparagine that acts like a natural diuretic and is also a great source of polyphenols. And that gorgeous purple variety is high in antioxidants. The skinnier stalks, which are easier to find this time of year, have more fiber than the thicker ones. So really, you can't go wrong when ingredients shopping.

I’ll eat asparagus any way you serve it to me—steamed, grilled, or grated raw into ribbons for a salad—but lately I’ve been using it in this super-simple springtime, nutrient-packed vegan soup. I use kombu—an amazing seaweed you can find in most health food stores—as the base for the broth to provide the same umami flavor you get from using, say, chicken stock. Then, I caramelize some fresh leeks (also in season! also a powerful prebiotic!) with some vitamin-E-rich avocado oil (my new obsession). Then there’s one more step: lightly blanching the asparagus in the broth and leek stock before whipping it up in a high-powered blender. That’s it!

If you want to get a little fancy, you can throw on some home made croutons. I try to always use breads made from organic, non-GMO heirloom wheat, like La Brea Bakery’s artisanal-grain Fortuna loaf, and throw in whatever fresh herb I have on hand, like thyme or rosemary. Sprinkle a few of those salty, crunchy babies on top and you’ve got a light lunch or dinner that’s like springtime in a bowl.

Asparagus Leek Soup

For some extra flaire, you can reserve some of the asparagus tips, chop them, and serve them on top of the soup with a fresh herb (here, chives) and croutons. The soup can be served hot or cold. I like eating it with poached or sliced eggs but vegans might consider throwing in some tofu for extra protein. Vegans can also throw in one whole avocado before blending. It adds a little creamy richness and a very subtle avocado note to the taste.

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  • Prep Time
  • Cook Time
    30 minutes
  • Servings
    servings

Ingredients

To make the soup

To make the croutons

Instructions

For more ideas on how to use your farm-fresh asparagus, try this recipe for cold yogurt asparagus soup  or this recipe for shaved asparagus and mint salad.

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