It’s SPRING!!  And all Yelton Manor Bed and Breakfast food cravings are for asparagus!  Here’s a simple but elegant, creamy soup that has a few ingredients that make it extra exciting: paprika for a subtle heat, spinach for a brighter green color, a runny poached egg dropped into it for comfort and some great homegrown herbs for dazzle.  There is no cream in this soup, but it still comes out very rich and creamy.  Serves 6.

Start with a large leek, white and green parts, sliced down the middle then sliced into half moons. Saute in a tablespoon or two of olive oil along with 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.  When they are tender, about 10 minutes, add a teaspoon of Hungarian paprika.

Prepare 1 1/2 lbs of fresh asparagus, simply chop into 1/2 inch pieces. 

Add 3 cups of vegetable stock, preferably homemade, to the pot, along with the asparagus.  Cook until tender, about 15 minutes.

   Now you’re cooking!  When the asparagus is tender, add a cup of fresh spinach.  Stir in and take pot off heat. Place the soup in a blender and whir it up to a creamy consistency.  Return soup to pan to keep warm until serving.

   Time to go raid the spring herb garden!  I love the taste of French tarragon, very licorice. Chives are always great, also fresh parsley.  Chop for topping off the soup bowls.If desired, poach 6 eggs until just perfect, solid whites/runny yolk.  Fill 6 bowls with soup, drop a poached egg into the center of each and top off with your herbs.  Voila!!  Enjoy!

Spring isn’t spring at Yelton Manor Bed and Breakfast until the compost arrives!!!!  Some women like yellow gold on fingers and wrists, I love the black gold that tops off the perennial border each year!!!  Today we got the first 7 yards, there will be 40 more behind this one.  We fill over 300 pots, then there is 300 X 12 feet of garden to top off. The smell of it is heaven, we love being attached closely with the earth.  Time to put on my sh*t-kickin boots and start in!

Thank you Huntree Nursery for being our steady garden partner for the last 24 years!  Jan and Dave’s son Matt is stepping up bigtime into the business now, he’s the real deal and we love him!!!

COMPOST!!!!!  Aaaaaah, should be a scratch and sniff option here!!!!!

Lanier Travel just announced that Yelton Manor Bed and Breakfast innkeepers, Robert and Elaine, have been named “2012 International Innkeepers of the Year”! Quite a perfect follow-up to last year’s International 2011 Inn of the Year”, and 2010′s “Best Overall Location” and “Best Complimentary Afternoon Snack” honors!  We also scooped up “2012 Best for Relaxing/Unwinding”, just some sweet icing on the cake!

We are thrilled, honored and grateful!

We share this award with our amazing innkeeping staff, Cindi, Rayline and Mary!