nutritional information

Per SERVING:

  • Calories: 199
  • Protein: 3
  • Total Fat: 12
  • Saturated Fat: 3
  • Carbohydrates: 22
  • Cholesterol: 8
  • Sodium: 295
  • Fiber: 4
  • Sugar: 6
Gluten-Free

French Potage with Pistou

French Potage with Pistou

Serves 8

In hospitals throughout France, meals always begin with potage, a blended vegetable soup of leeks, carrots, and potatoes. We’ve jazzed up the mild flavor with a quick pesto sauce that gets stirred in before serving.
  • 2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  • 2 medium leeks, white and pale green parts chopped (4 cups)
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.)
  • 1 large russet potato, peeled and diced (2 cups)
  • 4 medium carrots, chopped (3 cups)
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 cup firmly packed basil leaves
  • ¼ cup walnuts, toasted
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  1. To make Potage: Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and pinch of salt; cover and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until leeks are softened, stirring often. Stir in wine and garlic and cook, uncovered, 1 to 2 minutes, or until most liquid has evaporated.
  2. Add potato, carrots, thyme, bay leaf, broth, and 2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 minutes, or until potato and carrots are soft.
  3. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Purée soup in blender or food processor, or with immersion blender, until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. To make Pistou: Place basil, walnuts, and garlic in blender. Pulse to combine. Pour in oil, and blend until smooth. Add water if necessary to form smooth paste. Season with salt and pepper. Serve dollop on top of Potage.
January 2008

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comments

Fantastic! I am NOT someone who can cook. At all. This was really easy and tasted so good. I ate it with the pistou but my husband preferred with out, so I agree you can go either way. I did simmer the soup way longer than recommended (4 hrs. or so) before blending and also simmered it with a rind from parmesan cheese. We also finished it with a touch of heavy cream, but it doesn't need it.

Carrie - 2011-03-09 18:45:46