This is a delicious, comforting meal when it's cold outside or when you're feeling under the weather. Let us know if you try it!

Pistou Soup recipe for 6 to 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 diced leeks, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 2 medium carrots
  • 2 stalks of diced celery, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 15 green beans
  • 2 medium zucchini
  • 3 ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeded
  • 1 teaspoon of peppercorns
  • 4 small sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 4 small sprigs of fresh parsley
  • 2 minced garlic cloves
  • 8 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
  • 4 tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions

  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil and add the leeks and the garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes, just until they start to turn translucent.
  • Add the celery and the carrots and cook for 3-4 minutes longer.
  • Pour the stock into the pan, heat until it boils, then reduce the heat until it's just simmering. Tie together the thyme, parsley and peppercorns with string and add it to the pan.
  • Stir in the tomato, zucchini, and beans and continue to let it simmer for about half an hour, until the vegetables are tender.
  • Remove the peppercorn, thyme and parsley 'bouquet' from the soup. Taste the soup and season with a little more salt if needed.

Optional: Mix an egg yolk, olive oil and chopped basil and add one teaspoon of the mixture to the soup bowl. Then pour the soup on top, and top it off with some grated cheese.

Bon Appétit!

soupe au pistou

Pistou soup, delicious to eat all year round. Photo© V. Mourre CC-BY SA 3.0

France Just For You

Experts in self-drive tours in France

Travelers Reviews

5.0
Jeanie & David
We were planning a trip to the Ryder Cup and looking for other places to visit while in France. I happened upon the France Just for You website and started some planning with Emilie. She took over and gave us great plans for every day and great accomodations. All of her suggestions were perfect, actually too much for us to do each day. Her travel …
Teresa & Garry
Laura and Emilie started working with us to develop a trip in July of 2020, but the trip had to be postponed because of COVID. Nonetheless they kept everything in place and made some modifications so that the trip could take place this October and November. They were always responsive and helpful with our questions and concerns. All of the …
Judy
This was one of the best trips we have taken to Europe. We have often done our own planning. It was so nice to have Laura help. We were very delighted with accommodations and friendliness of all our hosts and tour guides. As Americans that don't speak much French, we would never have been able to arrange a trip like this ourselves - and we've done …
The C. family
Emilie and Guillaume: I want to send you this special thank you for making this trip truly spectacular! Our time in France was memorable precisely because of the people we've met, and the unique experiences we've had. We owe that all to you. There's no way that we ever would have been able to find the bed and breakfasts that you booked for us. And …
Janet
We have traveled in Europe a dozen times. Our trip to France, the Loire Valley and Normandy was one of the very best. Their custom self-guided tours are based on places and activities that interest you. Emelie listened to what we wanted and created an itinerary that was just what we wanted as well as some suggestions for other things we might try …
Elizabeth from the US
An amazing trip through Southern France! This is the second trip we have booked with Émilie and her talented team at France Just for You and we couldn’t be happier. Based on our inputs, they designed an excellent trip for my husband, myself, my sister and sister-in-law using the Southern France from West to East as a template. We added several days …