French Soupe au Pistou

== Description ==
From Organic Gardening magazine (1985). A lovely soup made delicious with pesto. Enjoy!
== Ingredients ==
* 1½ lbs green beans, in 1 inch pieces
* 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
* 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
* 3 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
* 2½ quarts chicken stock or vegetable stock
* 2 cups cooked large white beans or chickpeas (If using cans, with liquid. If using dry beans use 1 cup dry beans, reserve 2 cups cooking liquid)
* ½ cup vermicelli or other thin noodles, broken into small pieces
* 1 cup fresh basil leaves, firmly packed
* ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
* ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 2 teaspoons chopped fresh garlic
== Directions ==
# In a heavy pot (about 8-quart size), combine green beans, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and stock.
# Bring to a boil, then simmer until beans and potatoes are crisp tender.
# Add the cooked white beans with their cooking water (or liquid from cans) and vermicelli, and simmer until the vermicelli is just tender.
# Combine the basil, cheese, oil and garlic in a blender or processor, and puree.
# Stir this paste into the soup, bit by bit.
# Adjust seasoning if necessary.
# After the sauce has been added, the soup may be warmed, but not boiled.
# Serve with hot or toasted slices of french bread.
Category:Basil Recipes
Category:Chicken stock and broth Recipes
Category:Chickpea Recipes
Category:French Soups
Category:French bread Recipes
Category:Green bean Recipes
Category:Parmesan cheese Recipes
Category:Potato Recipes
Category:Tomato Recipes
Category:Vegetable stock and broth Recipes