Provencal Vegetable Soup with Pistou
Delight in this hearty Provencal Vegetable Soup with Pistou, a classic French dish that captures the vibrant flavors of fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a rich, savory broth. This comforting soup is filled with tender green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and your choice of white beans or chickpeas. Topped with a flavorful pistou made from fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, this recipe is perfect for sharing with family and friends. Ideal for chilly evenings or as a nourishing meal any time of year, serve it with crusty bread for a truly delightful experience.
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
green beans
1.5 lbs (cut into 1 inch pieces)
yellow onions
2 medium (chopped)
potatoes
2 large (peeled and diced)
ripe tomatoes
3 large (chopped)
chicken or vegetable stock
2.5 quarts
cooked large white beans
2 cups (or chickpeas (with liquid if using canned))
vermicelli
0.5 cup (or other thin noodles, broken into small pieces)
fresh basil leaves
1 cup (firmly packed)
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
0.33 cup
extra virgin olive oil
0.33 cup
fresh garlic
2 teaspoons (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large heavy pot (around 8 quarts), combine the green beans, chopped onions, diced potatoes, and chopped tomatoes.
2
Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
3
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow the soup to simmer until the green beans and potatoes are crisp-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
4
Add in the cooked white beans (or chickpeas) along with their cooking liquid, along with the vermicelli or your chosen noodles. Simmer the soup until the noodles are just tender, about 5-7 more minutes.
5
In a blender or food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and chopped garlic. Blend until smooth to create a pistou sauce.
6
Remove the soup from heat, and stir in the pistou incrementally, allowing the flavors to meld. Be careful not to bring the soup back to a boil after adding the pistou.
7
Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
8
Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan if desired, alongside slices of hot or toasted French bread.
9
To store: Cool the soup before transferring it to a rigid freezer container and sealing it tightly. Place the pistou in a separate freezer bag, seal, and tape it to the container for easy access. Label and freeze.
10
To serve: Thaw the soup in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stovetop until bubbling. Lower the heat and stir in the pistou gently until combined. Enjoy your delicious soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Provencal Vegetable Soup with Pistou?
It is a classic French soup featuring fresh vegetables like green beans and potatoes in a savory broth, topped with a flavorful basil and garlic sauce called pistou.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 24 servings.
What are the primary vegetables in this soup?
The main vegetables are green beans, yellow onions, potatoes, and ripe tomatoes.
Can I use chickpeas instead of white beans?
Yes, you can use 2 cups of cooked chickpeas as an alternative to large white beans.
What kind of stock should I use for the base?
You can use either chicken stock or vegetable stock depending on your dietary preference.
How long should the vegetables simmer?
Simmer the green beans, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes for approximately 15-20 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
What is pistou?
Pistou is a Provencal cold sauce made from fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
How do you prepare the pistou sauce?
Combine fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, and chopped garlic in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
When should the vermicelli noodles be added?
Add the vermicelli along with the cooked beans after the initial vegetables have simmered for 15-20 minutes.
How long do the noodles need to cook?
The noodles should simmer for about 5-7 minutes until they are just tender.
Should I add the pistou while the soup is boiling?
No, you should remove the soup from the heat before stirring in the pistou to preserve the fresh flavors.
Is it okay to boil the soup after adding the pistou?
No, you should be careful not to bring the soup back to a boil after the pistou has been added.
How should the green beans be prepared?
The green beans should be cut into 1-inch pieces.
How do I prepare the potatoes for this recipe?
The potatoes should be peeled and diced.
What type of oil is used in the pistou?
The recipe calls for 0.33 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
Can I use canned beans for this soup?
Yes, you can use canned beans and include their cooking liquid if desired.
Is this vegetable soup vegetarian?
The soup is vegetarian if you choose to use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
What type of cheese is required for the pistou?
The recipe requires 0.33 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
How much garlic is needed for the recipe?
You will need 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh garlic.
Can this Provencal soup be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the soup in a rigid container once it has cooled.
How should I store the pistou for freezing?
Place the pistou in a separate freezer bag, seal it, and tape it to the soup container for easy access.
How do I reheat the soup after it has been frozen?
Thaw the soup in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stovetop until bubbling before stirring in the thawed pistou.
What is the best way to serve this soup?
Serve it hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired, along with slices of hot or toasted French bread.
How many tomatoes are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 large ripe tomatoes, chopped.
Is this soup considered healthy?
Yes, it is categorized as a healthy, nutrient-dense meal filled with vegetables and legumes.
What size pot is recommended for cooking?
A large heavy pot with a capacity of approximately 8 quarts is recommended.
How do I season the soup?
Taste the soup after adding the pistou and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Can I use different types of noodles?
Yes, while vermicelli is suggested, you can use other thin noodles broken into small pieces.
How much basil is required?
You will need 1 cup of firmly packed fresh basil leaves.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
The tags include soup, vegetable, French, pistou, healthy, vegetarian, comfort food, herbs, beans, and broth-based.