Soupe au Pistou

A rich Provencal soup filled with goodness, named after the pesto that is drizzled over the top when it is served.

6-8 Servings

Ingredients:

3 tomatoes, blanched, peeled & diced

1 onion, finely chopped

500gr pre-soaked white beans

250gr carrots, finely chopped

3.5L water

3 bay leaves

3 sprigs of thyme

A handful of basil leaves

4 cloves of garlic

4 tbsp olive oil

400gr potatoes, finely diced

250gr green beans, sliced into 1 cm pieces

600gr courgette, finely diced

125gr coquiette pasta or other small pasta suitable for soup (optional)

Instructions:

Simmer onion in heated olive oil for 3 minutes then add the tomatoes. Add the beans, carrots, water, bay leaves & thyme.

Cover & simmer 1 hour on low heat.

Prepare your pistou by blending basil, garlic & olive oil, until a pesto-like paste.

After the hour is over, remove thyme branch and bay leaves from soup.

Add potatoes, green beans & courgette. If using pasta add this in as well.

Simmer 10 minutes.

Drizzle a spoon of pistou over the top of each bowl when serving.

Enjoy with rustic bread on the side.