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1
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
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2
For the soup: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, bring the oil to medium heat.
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3
Add the shallot and salt and pepper to taste.
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4
Sweat until translucent, about 1 minute, being careful not to brown.
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5
Add the asparagus to the pot and sweat until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes.
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6
Add the peas and sweat another minute.
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7
Pour in the white wine and deglaze the pot.
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8
Add 5 cups water and continue simmering until crisp-tender, another 10 minutes.
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9
Remove from the heat and set aside.
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10
Working in batches (and carefully as the liquid will be hot), puree the soup until smooth in a blender.
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11
In the last batch, add the baby spinach and puree; this will give the soup a vibrant green color.
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12
Strain back into the pot through a fine mesh sieve.
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13
Return to a simmer until slightly thickened, 4 to 6 minutes.
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14
Season with salt and pepper.
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15
Remove from the heat.
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16
For the Parmesan breadcrumbs: While the soup simmers, pulse the bread in a food processor until you have very coarse crumbs.
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17
Once processed, transfer the breadcrumbs to a medium mixing bowl.
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18
Drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil.
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19
Toss with the thyme.
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20
Season mixture with salt and pepper.
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21
Transfer to a parchment-lined sheet tray.
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22
Using a grater, finely grate a few tablespoons of Parmesan over the breadcrumbs.
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23
Place into the oven and bake until golden and crispy, 7 to 10 minutes.
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24
Remove from the oven and cool.
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25
To serve: Ladle the soup into shallow serving bowls.
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26
Sprinkle evenly with a few teaspoons of Parmesan breadcrumbs and top with a dollop of creme fraiche.
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27
Garnish with chopped chives, cilantro leaves, a squeeze of a lime wedge and a splash of extra-virgin olive oil.
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28
Serve immediately.
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29
When blending hot liquids, first let cool for 5 minutes or so, then transfer to a blender, filling only halfway.
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30
Put the lid on, leaving one corner open; this will prevent the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions.
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31
Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters and pulse until smooth.
