Soupe au Pistou

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 medium leeks (trimmed and thinly sliced (or 1 large yellow onion))
• 4 large cloves garlic (finely chopped)
• 2 medium carrots (diced (peeled if desired))
• 2 medium yellow potatoes (diced)
• 2 medium zucchini (diced)
• 12 ounces fresh green beans
• 14 1/2 ounces diced tomatoes (with liquid)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 large bay leaf (or 2 small (dried or fresh))
• 8 cups water (or more, enough to cover vegetables (see recipe note #1))
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt (plus more to taste (see recipe note #2))
• 29 ounces cannelini beans (drained (see recipe note #3))
• 1 cup dry orzo pasta (or other short, dry pasta)
• 1 large clove garlic
• 2 oz fresh basil leaves (~2 packed cups)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. 1

   --- For the Soup ---

2. 2

   Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat; add leeks and cook and stir until tender and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add carrots, potatoes, zucchini, green beans, tomatoes with liquid, thyme leaves, bay leaf, water and salt; stir to combine. Being to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 to 45 minutes, until vegetables reach your desired tenderness.

3. 3

   Stir in cooked beans and pasta; simmer 10 to 12 minutes more until pasta is tender. Remove the bay leaf and taste for seasoning; add more salt as desired.

4. 4

   --- For the Pistou ---

5. 5

   Meanwhile, make the pistou: with food processor running add garlic clove through the chute to mince. Add basil, parmesan cheese and salt; process until minced. With food processor running, drizzle in olive oil in a steady stream and process until combined. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as desired. (recipe note #3)Transfer pistou to a small bowl for serving. (recipe note #4)

6. 6

   --- To Serve ---

7. 7

   Ladle soup into bowls, topping each with a large scoop of pistou and serve.