Recipes » Soup and Stews » Provencal Pistou

Ingredients (50 % more for a week)

• 
  2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 2 cups chopped onions (2 onions)
• 2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 to 4 leeks)
• 3 cups 1/2-inch-diced unpeeled boiling potatoes (1 pound)
• 3 cups 1/2-inch-diced carrots (1 pound)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 quarts homemade chicken stock or canned broth
• 1 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1/2 pound haricots verts, ends removed and cut in 1/2
• 4 ounces spaghetti, broken in pieces
• Pistou:
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 24 large basil leaves
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup good olive oil
•  
• Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Preparation

Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot, add the onions, and sauté over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.

Add the leeks, potatoes, carrots, salt, and pepper and sauté over medium heat for another 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and saffron, bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender.

Add the haricots verts and spaghetti, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 more minutes.

Check salt and pepper.

Pistou:
Place the garlic, tomato paste, basil, and Parmesan in the bowl of a food processor and puree. With the motor running, slowly pour the olive oil down the feed tube to make a paste. Pack into a container, pour a film of olive oil on top, and close the lid.
Yield: 1 cup

To serve, whisk 1/4 cup of the pistou into the hot soup, then season to taste. Grated parmesan.