No asparagus?!?

How does a grocery store run out of asparagus?

Not THAT many people even eat it.

Did one person go to Safeway and clean out the asparagus supply,

I hate you, asparagus hoarder!

Anyway I was supposed to make cream of asparagus soup, but once arriving at the store and discovering that apparently it was national eat asparagus day, I had to find a new plan.

Thank God for smart phones!

I have been craving broccoli cheese soup for quite sometime, but always feel guilty eating it...

all that cream and cheese, not good for my "diet". 

Anyway, I found an awesome lightened up recipe here.

While it doesn't count towards this challenge, I had to share it with you all, because

I'm telling you it was amazing...you must try it!

I paired it with an actual challenge recipe, which was also super delicious,

goat cheese is a newly discovered love of mine.

Crisp Goat Cheese Salad

1/2 cup olive oil +more for baking sheet

3 large red potatoes

1 large egg

S&P

1 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs

1 log fresh goat cheese (12 oz)

1 T white wine vinegar

1 T grainy or dijon mustard

8 oz mixed greens

Heat broiler, brush baking sheet with oil; set aside.  Place potatoes in a med saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil.  Simmer just until fork tender, 20-25 min.  Rinse the potatoes under cold water until cool enough to handle, and cut into 1 inch chunks.

In a shallow bowl, whisk egg with 1/4 tsp of each salt and pepper.  Place breadcrumbs in another bowl.  Slice goat cheese into 8 rounds and pat each into a disk about 1/2 in thick.  (it may be necessary to freeze the cheese in order to slice it...I didn't).  

Dip the disks in egg and then breadcrumbs.  Place on prepared baking sheet.

In a large bowl whisk together the vinegar, mustard, and 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper.  Slowly add 1/4 cup of oil, whisking to emulsify.  Set aside.

Brush disks lightly with remaining 1/4 cup oil ( I did not do this, I sprayed them with pam, worked great).  Broil until golden and crisp, about 5 min. (might take less time, watch them closely.)

Toss the greens and potatoes in the dressing.  Divide the salad among 4 plates and top each with 2 cheese disks.

Serves 4.

Here are pics of the soup.

Paige Rating: **** (For the salad)