SOUPE AU PISTOU WITH GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Ingredients

Soup

4 4 4tablespoons TABLESPOON_USVolumeolive oil
3 3 3medium leeks, dark green parts trimmed and discarded, light green and white parts thoroughly washed and cut into 1/2-inch dice
6 6 6garlic cloves, minced
2 2 2medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 2 2stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch dice
8 8 8cups CUP_USVolumechicken broth
Salt
1 1 1teaspoon TEASPOON_USVolumewhole black and white peppercorns
4 4 4small sprigs fresh thyme
4 4 4small sprigs fresh parsley
12 12 12green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 2 2medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 2 2medium yellow summer squash, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 1 1ripe tomato, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice

Pistou

6 6 6medium garlic cloves, peeled
6 6 6ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
4 to 6 4 to 6 4 to 6tablespoons TABLESPOON_USVolumeextra-virgin olive oil
30 30 30fresh basil leaves, washed and dried

Goat Cheese Croutons

6 to 8 6 to 8 6 to 8slices French bread, about 1/4 inch thick
Olive oil
6 to 8 6 to 8 6 to 8ounces OUNCE_USVolumefresh creamy goat cheese

Instructions

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the leeks and sauté just until they start to turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté about 1 minute more. Add the carrots and celery and continue sautéing until the vegetables deepen in color but have not yet begun to brown, 3 to 4 minutes more. Pour the stock into the pan, bring it to a boil, and reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Sprinkle in a generous pinch of salt.
Tie the peppercorns, thyme, and parsley in a square of cheesecloth, securing it with kitchen string. Add this bouquet garni to the pan. Stir in the beans, zucchini, summer squash, and tomato. Continue simmering until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the Pistou: Put the garlic and tomatoes in a blender or food processor with about 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Begin processing. With the machine running, add the basil leaves, and then pour in enough extra olive oil to make a smooth, thick, but fluid paste. Transfer about two thirds of the paste into a serving bowl to pass alongside the soup.
Make the Goat Cheese Croutons: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brush the bread slices with olive oil and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove them from the oven and turn on the broiler. Spread one side of each crouton with goat cheese and put it back on the baking sheet. Broil until the cheese is warm and slightly bubbly, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
When the soup is ready, stir the remaining pistou into the saucepan, ladling some of the hot broth into the blender or processor bowl to swirl and rinse any pesto clinging inside into the pan. Remove and discard the bouquet garni. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with a little more salt.
Ladle the soup into individual heated serving bowls. Float a crouton in the center of each bowl. With a spoon, drizzle a little more pistou over the crouton and soup in each bowl. Serve immediately, passing more pistou alongside for each person to add to taste.

ABOUT THIS RECIPE

The classic vegetable soup of Provence gains wonderful aroma from pistou, a close French cousin to the pesto of nearby Italy. Feel free to use other favorite fresh vegetables in season. Floating a hot crouton with fresh goat cheese on top of each serving turns a simple bowl of soup into a satisfying midday meal.