Asparagus Chicken Soup

Adapted from https://whereismyspoon.co/asparagus-chicken-soup/

INGREDIENTS

9 oz asparagus 250 g, Note 1
5 cups chicken stock 1.2 liter
2 skinless boneless chicken breasts 12.5 oz/ 350 g
1 garlic clove
3.5 oz soba noodles or other noodles you like, 100 g
¾ cup frozen peas 3.5 oz/ 100 g
1 small leek 1.7 oz/ 50 g
a few sprigs parsley and dill
fine sea salt and black pepper

STEPS

1) Prepare asparagus: Wash it and remove the woody lower part of the stalks. Cut the asparagus into pieces, about 4 cm/ 1.6 inches long, and keep the asparagus tips separated from the rest.

2) Pour the stock into the pot and bring to a boil. In the meantime, chop the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.

3) Simmer soup: Add the chicken pieces, asparagus pieces (except the heads), and grated garlic to the stock. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Add peas and noodles and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes or per the packet's instructions (Note 2).

4) In the meantime, shred the leek very finely and chop the herbs. Keep them separated.

5) Add the asparagus tips and the shredded leeks to the soup during the last 2 minutes of the cooking time.

6) Adjust the taste with salt and pepper.