Name: Rustic French Summer Pistou Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced; 2 medium zucchini, diced; 1 cup fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained; 2 medium Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced; 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth; 1/2 cup ditalini or other small soup pasta; 2 cups fresh basil leaves; 3 cloves garlic, peeled; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

This healthy French summer pistou requires just 30 minutes of cook time and showcases vibrant seasonal vegetables. Packed with zucchini, fresh beans, and a fragrant garlic-basil paste, it is the ultimate warm-weather comfort food. Serve it warm with a slice of crusty sourdough bread for a light, satisfying dinner.

Instructions

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Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the diced zucchini and green beans, cooking for another 5 minutes until they begin to soften slightly. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and black pepper to build baseline flavors.

Add the diced tomatoes, drained cannellini beans, and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Stir in the small pasta and cook uncovered for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the vegetables are completely tender. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

While the soup finishes cooking, prepare the pistou paste by blending the basil, garlic, a pinch of salt, and an extra splash of olive oil in a food processor until smooth. Stir the grated Parmesan cheese into the paste until fully incorporated.

Remove the soup from the heat and stir the fresh pistou paste directly into the pot, or dollop it generously into individual bowls just before serving. Enjoy warm with toasted crusty bread on the side.