Asparagus Soup with Green Garlic and Eggs

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Description
This is a beautiful high protein, light spring soup.

Ingredients

 * 1 pound asparagus
 * 5 cups chicken stock, vegetable stock, or water
 * 1 bulb spring (green) garlic, separated into cloves if cloves have formed, peeled and thinly sliced
 * salt and freshly ground pepper
 * 4 large eggs
 * ¼ cup freshly grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese
 * 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
 * ½ cup pasta or rice, cooked, or 4 to 6 slices toasted Italian bread (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Break off the woody ends of the asparagus stalks and combine them with the stock or water and the garlic in a soup pot and bring to a simmer. Simmer 15 minutes. Using a skimmer, tongs, or a slotted spoon, remove the asparagus stems and discard.
 * 2) Season the broth to taste with salt and pepper. Slice the asparagus into 1-inch pieces and add to the broth. Simmer 8 to 12 to minutes. It should be very tender and fragrant, but still bright green and not mushy.
 * 3) Just before serving, beat the eggs, cheese, and parsley together in a bowl. Have the soup at a bare simmer. Making sure that the soup isn't boiling, whisk a ladleful into the egg mixture. Stir well and whisk back into the soup. Whisk constantly over very low heat for 3 minutes, then ladle into bowls and serve, with a spoonful of pasta or rice, or a slice of toast in each bowl if desired.
 * 4) This soup must be served right away.