Add a slice of toast topped with melted cheese, and you have a light dinner or lunch. This recipe makes enough soup for eight people, but you can easily freeze the leftovers if serving fewer (directions for freezing are below).

　　

Ingredients

Serves 8

　　3 tablespoons butter

　　1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped shallots (about 6 large)

　　1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

　　3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

　　3 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

　　Coarse salt

　　1/3 cup heavy cream

　　2 to 3 tablespoons fresh

　　lemon juice

　　

Step 1

In a large (4-quart) saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and thyme; cook until the shallots are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the flour; cook until incorporated, stirring constantly, about 1 minute.

　　

Step 2

Add the asparagus and 6 cups water; season generously with salt. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover, and simmer, until the asparagus is bright green and just tender, 2 to 4 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender until very smooth. To prevent splattering, fill the blender only halfway, and allow heat to escape: Remove the cap from the hole in the lid, and cover the lid with a dish towel. (To freeze, see note, below.) If serving right away, stir in the cream and lemon juice.

　　

Freezing the Soup

Step 4

Omit the cream and lemon juice. Cool to room temperature before dividing among airtight containers (leaving 1 inch of space at top). Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator; reheat over low heat. Stir in the cream and lemon juice before serving.

　　Reprinted with permission from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2007 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine's editors.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.