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
Naomi
Our trip was arranged and detailed well in advance, with reservations for activities and places of special interest, and free days with suggestions for things to see and do. We fell in love with Dordogne and the Paleolithic caves for which we had reserved tours, and were able to take in another cave the next day at the suggestion of our B&B hostess …
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 …
Bev & Jeff from the US
Wow ! Wow ! Wow ! We had the best 23 day trip to France. I normally plan our vacations, but after finding the France Just For You website, I knew we had to let the experts plan our 30th Anniversary. Every Bed & Breakfast was excellent. They were so beautiful and the welcome was fantastic at every one. FJFY thinks of every detail. Directions, train …
Naomi
You may already know from other reviews that "France Just for You" will create an itinerary based on your interests and time frame, booking attractions and lodgings, arranging a car, and providing a detailed guide book with historical and cultural information, and suggestions for things to see and do with your unscheduled time. The whole service is …
Carol & Mike
We have recently returned from our second trip to France arranged by Emilie and Guillaume. The itinerary was created by Emilie to include our particular interests and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. We look forward to exploring another part of France in the future arranged by France Just For You.
Myrna & Don
We are experienced travelers world-wide, generally organizing our own itinerary or having a travel group help us with a tour-for-two, and a personal guide, in several select locations. This was our first visit to France. So to be on our own with the guidance and extremely comprehensive written support of France Just For You was just remarkable and …