Provençal Vegetable Soup with Garlic Basil Pistou
This delightful Provençal Vegetable Soup is a vibrant and hearty dish that celebrates the bounty of spring vegetables and the aromatic freshness of basil. Inspired by the rustic flavors of southern France, this soup is not only nutritious but also bursting with flavor. The homemade pistou—the French version of pesto—is a fragrant blend of garlic, basil, and olive oil, providing a sumptuous richness to the broth. Perfect for family dinners, it's an excellent way to welcome warmer weather and indulge in the fresh herbs that are at their peak. Remember, the pistou is generously garlicky, so adjust it according to your taste preferences. This recipe is a lighter adaptation, making it accessible for those looking to enjoy a healthier yet satisfying meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 large (peeled and chopped)
carrots
2 medium (peeled and chopped)
celery ribs
2 (trimmed and chopped)
vegetable broth
6-7 cups
lima beans or garbanzo beans
1 cup (canned or frozen)
potatoes
2 medium (peeled and chopped)
zucchini
2 small (trimmed and chopped)
tomatoes
2 (cored, seeded, and chopped)
pasta
1 cup (broken into pieces (small like ditalini, capellini))
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (freshly grated (optional))
garlic cloves
6-8 (peeled)
fresh basil leaves
2 cups (washed)
extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon
tomato
1 (peeled or 1/4 cup tomato paste)
salt and pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, combine the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Add enough vegetable broth to cover the vegetables by at least 2 inches. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, adding more water if necessary to keep the ingredients submerged.
2
Once the vegetables start to soften, add the lima or garbanzo beans, zucchini, and chopped tomatoes to the pot. Continue simmering for another 20 minutes until all the vegetables are tender.
3
While the soup simmers, prepare the pistou. In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, fresh basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, and either the whole peeled tomatoes or tomato paste. Blend until you achieve a smooth, pasty consistency. Season the pistou with salt and pepper to taste.
4
About 10 minutes before the soup is finished cooking, add the broken pasta to the pot. Cook according to package instructions until the pasta is tender but not overcooked. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
5
Serve the soup hot, allowing each person to spoon a generous amount of pistou on top. Optional: top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Provençal Vegetable Soup with Garlic Basil Pistou?
It is a vibrant and hearty southern French soup that celebrates spring vegetables and uses a fragrant garlic-basil blend called pistou for richness.
What is pistou?
Pistou is the French version of pesto, typically made with a blend of garlic, fresh basil, and olive oil, sometimes including tomato.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses vegetable broth and a variety of fresh vegetables and beans.
How can I make this soup vegan?
The soup is naturally vegan if you omit the optional Parmesan cheese topping.
What kind of beans are used in this soup?
You can use one cup of either lima beans or garbanzo beans, whether canned or frozen.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The soup includes onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, zucchini, and tomatoes.
What type of pasta is best for this soup?
Small pasta broken into pieces, such as ditalini or capellini, is recommended.
How much garlic is in the pistou?
The recipe calls for 6 to 8 cloves of garlic, though you can adjust this to your personal taste.
How do I prepare the pistou?
In a blender or food processor, combine garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, and tomato paste or a peeled tomato until smooth and pasty.
When do I add the pasta to the soup?
Add the broken pasta about 10 minutes before the soup is finished cooking so it becomes tender but not overcooked.
What should I do if the broth evaporates?
If the vegetables are no longer submerged, add more water to the saucepan during the simmering process.
Can I use tomato paste instead of fresh tomato in the pistou?
Yes, 1/4 cup of tomato paste can be used as a substitute for one peeled tomato in the pistou recipe.
How long does the soup need to simmer in total?
The soup simmers for an initial 15 minutes, followed by another 20 minutes after adding the second set of vegetables, plus 10 minutes for the pasta.
Is the Parmesan cheese required?
No, the freshly grated Parmesan cheese is an optional topping for those who want extra flavor.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to combine onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes in vegetable broth and bring them to a boil.
How many cups of vegetable broth are needed?
The recipe requires 6 to 7 cups of vegetable broth.
How much fresh basil is required for the pistou?
You will need 2 cups of washed fresh basil leaves.
Is this soup considered healthy?
Yes, it is a lighter adaptation focusing on fresh vegetables and healthy herbs, making it a nutritious meal choice.
What is the consistency of the pistou?
The pistou should be blended until it reaches a smooth, pasty consistency.
Can I adjust the seasoning?
Yes, both the soup and the pistou should be seasoned with salt and pepper to your personal preference.
What type of olive oil is recommended?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for the best flavor in the pistou.
How do you serve the pistou?
Spoon a generous amount of pistou directly on top of each hot bowl of soup before serving.
Are the potatoes peeled for this recipe?
Yes, the 2 medium potatoes should be peeled and chopped before adding them to the pot.
What preparation is needed for the tomatoes in the soup?
The 2 tomatoes used in the soup should be cored, seeded, and chopped.
How many total ingredients are used?
There are 15 ingredients listed in this recipe.
Is this a good recipe for family dinners?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dish for family dinners, especially during the warmer spring weather.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
The recipe is tagged with soup, vegetarian, provençal, healthy, basil, garlic, spring, dinner, comfort food, and vegetables.
Can I use frozen lima beans?
Yes, the recipe allows for either canned or frozen beans.
Should the pasta be cooked separately?
No, the pasta is cooked directly in the soup pot about 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
Does the recipe specify serving sizes?
The provided data does not specify the exact number of servings, but the volume suggests a large batch.