Asparagus Soup with Brie Bruschetta

Step 1

Snap off ends from asparagus and peel any tough skin from the stalks; set aside.

Step 2

In 3-quart saucepan, heat oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter over medium-high heat until hot. Add garlic to oil and butter; cook until light brown. Add onion and celery; reduce heat to medium and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.

Step 3

Meanwhile, make the gremolata. In 8-inch skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add bread crumbs to butter; cook until lightly browned, stirring frequently; transfer to small bowl. Stir in the parsley and orange peel; set aside.

Step 4

In saucepan, add asparagus, broth and thyme to vegetable mixture. Heat to boiling; cook about 3 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Stir in spinach and lemon peel (the spinach will wilt in the soup). Pour soup into blender in small batches; cover and puree each batch until smooth. (The soup can be made ahead to this point, cooled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 1 day or frozen for up to 1 month.)

Step 5

Return soup to saucepan and heat over low heat until hot. Stir in the whipping cream, salt and pepper. Ladle into warm bowls. Sprinkle soup with 1 teaspoon gremolata. Pass the remaining gremolata at the table.

Step 6

Set oven control to broil. To make bruschetta, butter bread slices on both sides and top each with several slices of brie (2 to 3 oz per bread slice). Broil with tops about 5 inches from heat until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.