Creamy Asparagus Soup

Asparagus, not a food many people enjoy but yet it is packed full of iron and fiber. Iron rich foods have been the theme lately, so it made sense to test something asparagus related. For more nutritional information on asparagus, check out wholesomebabyfood.com's asparagus page.

I wanted to try this particular recipe because it was not just PLAIN asparagus; I thought that would ease Little Joy into it. However, as you will see in the epicutie rating, she was not a fan. Oddly, she loved plain steamed asparagus; I was shocked! Just because this epicutie does not like it does not mean yours wont, so try it out and let us know what you think!!!

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen asparagus or 1 pound fresh (diced and with an inch or so of the "bottom" of the asparagus removed because it can be tough)
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 teaspoon basil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup fat free plain yogurt
• 1/2 cooked and diced chicken breast

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion and sauté until tender.
3. Add asparagus, chicken broth, basil and garlic powder and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until asparagus is tender.
5. Remove from heat and stir in yogurt and chicken.
6. Purée in batches in a blender (I used a chopper because I do not have a blender)
7. Serve warm

Yeild: TONS

Storage: Fridge for several days. I lost track of time and forgot to freeze this, so I am not sure how well (or not) it will freeze--sorry readers!

Timing: I would recommend 8-10 months until your baby has any gas or tummy issues in which case maybe 12 months would be better. After you puree this it is pretty thin so even babies with few teeth can eat it.

Difficulty: 3 of 5 since it over all took awhile between chopping everything, simmering and pureeing. It was not a difficult recipe just time consuming.

Epicutie Rating: Sour Puss--see right side of page for descriptions

I am actually sorta glad Little Joy did not enjoy this dish because I was worried people would think I was exaggerating about Little Joy thinking most every food was "Yummy in the Tummy". I suspect the yogurt is what she did not like. Little Joy does NOT like the brand of plain yogurt I bought this last time. We attempted this food several times and with each attempt she liked it less and less. BUT as I said in the introduction---she LOVED plain steamed asparagus. Clearly it was not the asparagus flavor she did not like. Just because this epicutie does not like it does not mean yours wont, so try it out and let us know what you think!!!

A random note here...I recommend trying EVERY food 8-12 times over the course of a few weeks before "giving up" for a while. Remember, all foods are new to our little ones so it is natural that they will baulk at a few things. By "giving up" I mean, taking a break for a month or so before trying the food again or trying a new preparation of it. Our tastes buds are constantly evolving. Remember.... persevere, persevere, persevere.

Step 2: Sauté onions until tender

Step 4: Allowing to simmer

Step 5: Adding cooked chicken and yogurt

Before pureeing

Step 6: After pureeing

Just seeing and smelling this made her make a strange face.

SOUR PUSS!!! LOL!