Name: Asparagus Soup
Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter; 1 small onion, chopped; 1 tablespoon all purpose flour; 2 14 1/2-ounce cans chicken broth; 1 pound asparagus, tough ends discarded, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 teaspoon dried summer savory; Sour cream or plain yogurt (optional)

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This pretty, easy-to-make first-course soup is flavorful and creamy, yet is extremely low fat-it has only one tablespoon of butter and no cream at all (except for an optional sour cream garnish). Pour your favorite beer or a fruity white wine throughout the evening.

Recipe notes

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