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Portofino Bistro's Asparagus Gazpacho
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Cuisine: Soup Vegetarian
Top recipe: 
2006 GOLDEN WHISK AWARDS
(Our top 10 recipes of the year
This cold soup is easy enough to pack for a weekday lunch, but it's so beautiful and unusual you'll want to serve it at an elegant summer dinner party. Portofino executive chef DeWitt Rush suggests a garnish of fresh basil sliced in thin ribbons.
Hands on time: 10 minutes Total time: 10 minutes Serves: 6
Ingredients:
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1 pound fresh asparagus, tough ends removed
1/2 pound leek tops (medium to dark green parts only), rinsed well
1 large green bell pepper, seeds and white membrane removed
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil
4 cloves fresh garlic
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup cold water
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup best-quality extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup champagne or white wine vinegar
Instructions:
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch asparagus for 20 to 30 seconds, until it turns very bright green, and then immediately shock it in ice-cold water. In a blender or food processor (working in batches if necessary), puree the asparagus, leek tops, bell pepper, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese and water until the soup is well-combined and smooth --- or the desired texture. Add the seasoned salt, sea salt, pepper, olive oil and vinegar and pulse to combine. Adjust seasonings and thickness as desired and chill until serving time.
Notes:
Since vinegars vary widely in pungency and tartness, start conservatively. Mix in about half the vinegar, then taste the soup before adding more. It should be tangy but not overwhelmed by the vinegar's acidity.
Nutrition:
Per serving: 215 calories (percent of calories from fat, 77), 4 grams protein, 9 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 19 grams fat (3 grams saturated), 3 milligrams cholesterol, 609 milligrams sodium.
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