Asparagus Onion Sweet Tater Soup

I was going back and forth wanting a Vitamix when my mother and sister told me they just loved their Cuisinart Blend and Cook Soup Maker.  I compared both, still torn with all the great reviews for the Vitamix.  But the Vitamix was SO expensive!  I couldn’t justify the purchase, not with all the other gadgets and appliances I have.  So when my birthday rolled around and my sister asked what I would like, I said I was thinking about the Cuisinart Blender that she and Mum had.  SURPRISE!  Guess what I got for my birthday?!

My very first attempt at soup using a wonderful birthday gift from my sister, the Cuisinart Blend and Cook Soup Maker. 

This was so easy!

I took a recipe from the Cuisinart site which was also in the little recipe booklet included with the blender.  I adjusted it for ingredients I had in house as well as extra flavors Ted and I like and the result….

DEEEELISSHHH!

Asparagus Onion Sweet Potato Soup – Serves 4

• 1 TBS Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Stick
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 sweet onion, roughly chopped
• 1 lb asparagus, tough ends cut off, discarded the rest simply chop into 1/2 inch pieces.
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 medium sweet potato, peel and chop into 1/2 inch pieces
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Put the butter substitute (or olive oil or regular butter if you like) into the blender. Set timer for 15 minutes and heat to medium.  When the butter melts, add the garlic and onion. Cover and use the “Stir” button to mix 8 times.  Continue to cook until there are 5 minutes left on timer.  Add the asparagus and toss with a wooden spoon to coat with buttery onion mix.  When there are 3 minutes left, add the wine and let the timer run out.

Add the potato, salt, nutmeg, pepper, broth and cover.  Set timer to 12 minutes and heat on high. Allow to boil and cook until time runs out.  Once done, stir and put the timer back on for 25 minutes over medium heat.  Allow to cook, stir occasionally with wooden spoon.

Once time runs out, add lemon juice and blend on the speed dial “1” for 30 seconds. Switch up to “2” and blend until smooth. This will take about 1 minute or so.

The soup was really nice and hot. It was smooth, light yet filling. 

A delicate blend of flavors and just perfect for a cold wintery night.

Do you use your food processor or blender more? 

Is there a brand name you prefer when it comes to small appliances?