Asparagus soup with Breadsticks

This is my first cooking venture with Asparagus..I used to see these stalks everytime I go to the grocery shop but never used to pick them up..When I saw the recipe by Pearlsofeast I was determined to try it as it looked too appealing and was also a healthy one..So I grabbed a bunch of asparagus spears this time and immediately made this for dinner..It was fulfilling and it was accompanied with breadsticks..I love breadsticks with soups..So decided to try them at home..They came out pretty good..Here goes the recipe for the creamy Asparagus soup and breadsticks..

                          

Asparagus Soup

Ingredients

Asparagus spears - 1 bunch
Potatoes - 2 small sized
Garlic cloves - 2
Milk - 1/2 cup
Parmesan cheese - 1 spoon shredded
Dried herbs to garnish
Salt and pepper to taste

                         

Directions

Wash the asparagus spears thoroughly and chop the woody base..Also chop the middle portion and tip..Keep aside few tips for garnishing..
In a stock pot add the remaining tips and chopped asparagus spears and boil them along with the potato for 10 to 12 minutes until the spears become tender and have slightly changed their green colour..Drain and reserve the stock..Allow it to cool..
Once cooled blend them well along with the garlic cloves adding a little stock if needed..
Bring the blended mixture back to the stockpot and add milk and heat for 2 minutes..
Add salt, pepper and herbs..(I added oregano).Add the asparagus tips to it.
Soup is ready..Garnish with cream if you like..
Serve with hot bread of your choice..

Sending this to three events
MBP:Soups and Salads hosted by Raaga and started by The Spice Cafe.
In the Bag hosted by Real Epicurean
Fresh produce of the month hosted by Martha


                       

Breadsticks

Ingredients

1 cup of water
4 tsp soft butter
4 cups of flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 tsp yeast

Directions

Warm the water and add yeast and sugar and leave it aside for 5 minutes.The water should not be hot as it will kill the yeast.Once the yeast turns frothy add the salt,butter and flour and mix well..Knead with hands to form an elastic dough..
Divide the dough into 16 pieces and roll them out into cigar shaped sticks of bread and place them on a greased baking sheet..

                                  

Preheat oven to 400 degree Fahrenheit.
Cover it with a cloth and allow it to rise for about 45 to 50 minutes.

                              

Apply some butter over each breadstick with the help of a brush..
Sprinkle some salt and anything you like over the breadsticks..It may include dried herbs,pepper,garlic salt,grated cheese etc.
Bake them for about 15 minutes or until they turn to a golden-brown colour..

                              

Serve hot with soups..