In the heart of winter, when the cold wind blows and the snow falls, a warm and comforting bowl of soup is a true delight. And what could be better than a classic French soupe au pistou? This rustic Provençal dish is a symphony of flavors, featuring a rich vegetable broth, an aromatic pistou sauce, and a variety of hearty vegetables. In this article, we'll take you on a culinary journey to explore the art of making soupe au pistou, with two delightful recipes that showcase the versatility of this timeless dish. Discover the traditional version, bursting with the goodness of fresh vegetables and herbs, and a modern twist that adds a touch of creaminess and smoky bacon for an extra layer of indulgence. So gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will warm your soul and tantalize your taste buds.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
PROVENCAL VEGETABLE SOUP: SOUPE AU PISTOU
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the leeks and saute just until they start to turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and saute about 1 minute more. Add the carrots and celery and continue sauteing until the vegetables deepen in color but have not yet begun to brown, 3 to 4 minutes more. Pour the stock into the pan, bring it to a boil, and reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Sprinkle in a generous pinch of salt.
- Tie the peppercorns, thyme, and parsley in a square of cheesecloth, securing it with kitchen string. Add this bouquet garni to the pan. Stir in the beans, zucchini, summer squash, and tomato. Continue simmering until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the Pistou: Put the garlic and tomatoes in a blender or food processor with about 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Begin processing. With the machine running, add the basil leaves, and then pour in enough extra-virgin olive oil to make a smooth, thick, but fluid paste. Transfer about 2/3 of the paste into a serving bowl to pass alongside the soup.
- Make the Goat Cheese Croutons: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Brush the bread slices with olive oil and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove them from the oven and turn on the broiler. Spread 1 side of each crouton with goat cheese and put it back on the baking sheet. Broil until the cheese is warm and slightly bubbly, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
- When the soup is ready, stir the remaining pistou into the saucepan, ladling some of the hot broth into the blender or processor bowl to swirl and rinse any pesto clinging inside into the pan. Remove and discard the bouquet garni. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with a little more salt.
- Ladle the soup into individual heated serving bowls. Float a crouton in the center of each bowl. With a spoon, drizzle a little more pistou over the crouton and soup in each bowl. Serve immediately, passing more pistou alongside for each person to add, to taste.
WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP
I'VE ENJOYED this soup for years because it tastes good, is simple to make and doesn't leave a lot of leftovers. When there's a chill in the air, a steaming bowl of this savory soup is welcome. -Mavis Diment, Marcus, Iowa
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, saute onions in oil until tender. Add the broth, potato, carrot and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Add the broccoli, salt if desired and pepper; simmer, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 168 calories, Fat 8g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 125mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SOUPE AU PISTOU (VEGETABLE SOUP WITH PESTO)
The cookbook author and culinary historian Jessica B. Harris adapted this recipe from a meal she once had in the South of France at the home of James Baldwin, and it appears in her 2017 memoir, "My Soul Looks Back." It's a simple Provençal soup - French country cooking at its best - made with whatever vegetables are in season and brightened with generous spoonfuls of green pesto. You could use a vegetable stock or a light chicken stock instead of water, if you happen to have one, but there's no need: A good dollop of pesto will deliver a bright, garlicky flavor that permeates every bite.
Provided by Tejal Rao
Categories soups and stews, main course
Time 45m
Yield Serves 4-6
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Make the pistou: Purée the tomato, basil, parsley and garlic in a food processor. While the machine is running, drizzle in the oil. Add the cheese, and mix well, then transfer to a small bowl.
- Make the soup: In a large, heavy pot over medium heat, add celery, carrot, leek, thyme and olive oil. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the leek is starting to brown, about 10 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and 8 cups water, and bring to a boil, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes, then stir in remaining vegetables and pasta. Cook uncovered until the pasta is al dente and the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat, and stir in about half the pistou. Taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve with the rest of the pistou on the side, spooning it directly into the soup as needed.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 306, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 36 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 720 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams
SOUPE AU PISTOU
Perhaps Provence's answer to minestrone, this seasonal vegetable soup - enriched with a simplified basil pesto (no pine nuts) - was inspired by the white beans, canned tomatoes and soup pasta languishing in my pantry, as well as the basil in my garden and the early summer vegetables at the local farmers' market. The ingredient list is long, but the labor involved in making this soup is minimal. It tastes best if you make it through step 2 a day ahead.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, editors' pick, soups and stews, main course
Time 2h30m
Yield Serves: Six to eight
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Drain the white beans and combine with 2 quarts water in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Skim off any foam, then add half the onion, half the garlic and the bouquet garni. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes. Add salt to taste.
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy skillet, and add the remaining chopped onion and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Add the leeks and remaining garlic. Stir together for a few minutes, and add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly and the mixture is fragrant, five to 10 minutes. Stir this mixture into the soup pot, add all of the remaining vegetables except the green beans, and bring back to a simmer. Cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes to an hour. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
- While the soup is simmering, blanch the green beans for five minutes in salted boiling water. Transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water. Drain and set aside.
- To make the pistou, mash the garlic with a generous pinch of salt in a mortar and pestle. Remove it and set aside. Grind the basil to a paste in the mortar, a handful at a time, then add the garlic back in and mix together well. Work in the olive oil a tablespoon at a time, then stir in the cheese.
- Add the pasta to the simmering soup about 10 minutes before serving, and cook until cooked al dente. Add pepper, taste and adjust salt. Stir the blanched green beans into the soup and heat through. Serve, adding a spoonful of pesto to each bowl for guests to stir in. Pass additional Parmesan for sprinkling.
HEARTY WINTER-VEGETABLE SOUP
On a chilly day, this rustic soup -- made with potatoes, leeks, butternut squash, and escarole -- will warm you right up. Serve it with our Popovers.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Soups, Stews & Stocks Soup Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Cook leeks, celery, carrots, garlic, red-pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon salt, stirring occasionally, until leeks are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add stock and water, and bring to a boil.
- Add squash and potatoes. Return to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in escarole and chickpeas, and return to a boil. Stir in lemon juice and herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
SOUPE AU PISTOU (PROVENçAL VEGETABLE SOUP)
Provided by Bryan Miller
Categories lunch, one pot, soups and stews, appetizer, main course
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a pot, bring the water, salted, to a boil and add carrots, potatoes, onions, green beans and zucchini. Cook 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Drain kidney beans and add them to the soup.
- Mix oil, tomato paste, garlic and basil. Pour into the soup and stir well.
- Before serving, sprinkle grated cheese to taste in a bowl or mug. Pour soup over cheese.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 381, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 40 grams, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 2170 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams
SOUPE AU PISTOU
Steps:
- For the stock:
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil over medium heat; stir in ingredients. Cover. Cook until vegetables are soft, about 30minutes. Add 8 cups water. Bring to a boil. Lower heat; simmer for 45 minutes. Strain, reserving broth and half the vegetables. Skim fat. Discard thyme and bay leaf. Puree reserved vegetables in a blender. Stir into stock.
- For the soup:
- Heat oil in the same pot. Sauté onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and herbs. Add reserved broth, tomatoes and beans. Bring to a boil. Lower heat; simmer 30 to 45 minutes. Ladle into bowls; drizzle with pesto or oil.
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use a variety of fresh, seasonal vegetables.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices. A little bit of rosemary, thyme, or cumin can really elevate the flavor of the soup.
- If you don't have any pistou on hand, you can substitute a dollop of pesto or a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese.
- To make a vegetarian version of the soup, simply omit the chicken broth and use vegetable broth instead.
- This soup is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Just add them to the pot and simmer until heated through.
Conclusion:
Winter vegetable soupe au pistou is a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its fresh, seasonal vegetables and flavorful broth, this soup is sure to become a family favorite.
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