Creamy Asparagus Soup

**Ingredients:**

– 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
– Fresh asparagus tips, blanched (for garnish)

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Asparagus:**
– Trim and cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.

2. **Sauté the Vegetables:**
– In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
– Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
– Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.

3. **Cook the Asparagus:**
– Add the asparagus pieces to the pot and sauté for about 5 minutes, until they begin to soften.

4. **Add the Broth:**
– Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
– Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, until the asparagus is tender.

5. **Blend the Soup:**
– Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup to a blender and blend in batches.
– Return the pureed soup to the pot.

6. **Make it Creamy:**
– In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and flour until smooth.
– Stir the cream mixture into the soup and bring it to a gentle boil. Cook for a few minutes until the soup thickens slightly.

7. **Season and Serve:**
– Season the soup with salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg.
– Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, if using, until melted and well combined.

8. **Garnish and Serve:**
– Ladle the creamy asparagus soup into bowls and garnish with blanched asparagus tips.

Enjoy your creamy asparagus soup!