Ugh! May is not being good to me, in terms of my Dorie recipes. My failure on this week's Asparagus Soup has nothing to do with the recipe, and everything to do with the freshness--or lack thereof--of my asparagus. I've made this soup before, and liked it, so I know for a fact that the recipe is not the culprit.
I haven't seen asparagus in the local Italian supermarkets. I wonder if it grows here. If it does, the season for it probably already passed (it's an early spring veg, right? It's been pretty hot here--upper 70s/low 80s for the past 2 months). Anyway, I bought my asparagus up at the Commissary. It tasted okay grilled the other night, but this soup was completely flavorless. Yuck, yuck, yuck.
Oh well.
I may need to take a pass on next week's recipe. I can't find pistachio oil, and it seemed mighty expensive to justify buying online. Argh!! I'm going to Budapest tomorrow. Maybe they'll have pistachio oil there. What's Hungarian for "pistachio"? ha!
Budapest - wow! Have a great trip.
ReplyDeleteSorry this wasn't a hit for you - it is frustrating when ingredients aren't what they need to be to make a dish work. Bummer
Sorry this didn't work out for you. Ours was lacking a bit of kick as well. We in Singapore get our asparagus from Thailand. Normally they taste okay. Even post-blanching they tasted fine. I guess for me, it just lacked a little "excitement". Anyway, I won't be buying any pistachio oil either. I'll be making it! If you're interested, have a look at this link (scroll until the very bottom): http://community.cookinglight.com/archive/index.php/t-126329.html
ReplyDeleteHave fun in Budapest. It's such a great city!
I really enjoyed this soup. Sorry yours didn't work out.
ReplyDeleteI found Pistachio oil today at the store. $16 for 8 ounces!! I hope I like it. I've been eating lots of avacados lately, so it should be a good investment.
I'm feeling like something of a FFwD loser these days! I ended up using frozen and expensive asparagus for this recipe. It was actually quite good. Pistachio oil isn't in my budget so I'm not sure what I'll do for next week. Have fun in Budapest!
DeleteThat's so disappointing - at least you know it works for you when you can get some decent asparagus.
ReplyDeleteI made pistachio oil, using this recipe:
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/toasted-pistachio-oil
I couldn't justify buying a bottle of oil I wasn't likely to use up before it went rancid.
I used the same recipe this morning. Paula makes it and loves it - so maybe?
DeleteEi, have a wonderful weekend in Budapest! A bit sad that you did not like the soup but there are many other wonderful recipes coming up - I am sure that the pistachio oil could also be substituted with another oil such as a good quality olive oil in Friday´s recipe.
ReplyDeleteThis one was only ok for me. I couldn't find pistachio oil - today I bought some pricey macadamia oil as a substitute. I hope it tastes as good as Dorie promises!
ReplyDeletePISZTACIAT = pistachio in Hungarian. At least that's what Google states. I could not find pistachio oil either,
ReplyDeleteso I will have to substitute. Sorry you did not enjoy this recipe, hubby and I both thought it quite good.
Enjoy your trip to Budapest, it is supposed to be a beautiful city. Take lots of photos.
Sorry you couldn't get fresh asparagus. You're probably right about it being past the season since it's already so hot. Italy must be where those seasonal cookbooks by month are based on. Even with food magazines, what they as fresh seasonal ingredients in the March issue don't show up here until late April, at least. As for pistachio oil, I think that Paula posted a recipe to make your own from pistachios. I'm not sure where she posted that though. My, I'm chatting today. Have fun in Budapest!
ReplyDeleteNana's right. The Hungarian word is pisztácia. Not sure, with everything there is to see and do in Budapest, that you want to be running around looking and then carrying a bottle of pistachio oil. I think a recipe result totally depends on the quality of the ingredients used. Since you've made it before, you know it's delcious and, really, that's the bottom line. Report back on Budapest, please. Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteI would happily give up an avocado with pistachio oil for a trip to Budapest! Hope you have a fabulous time.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was pretty good - though I love asparagus in general. I served mine with some home made corn muffins.
LOL, it sounds like you have an exciting week ahead though!! :) sounds like a good trade off! You might find that the asparagus season is different in Italy, still to come is what I'd bet - it's still a bit too early for asparagus in England too...
ReplyDeleteAsparagus is definitely a colder weather vegetable. Ours sprouts in early Spring and the temperatures are still usually in the 60s during the day and 40's at night. Great of you to give it a try even with fresh asparagus it wasn't the most exciting soup.
ReplyDeleteThis soup didn't have much to it. I can see that it wouldn't be good without good asparagus. Sorry about that. Have a great time in Budapest!
ReplyDelete