Pistou Of Summer Vegetables

Serves: 6

Rowena Kautzer

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

46

Spice

52

Sweetness

61

Sourness

37

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.8

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1.5 cups

Vegetable Stock

3 tbsps

Mixed Herbs

Directions:

1

Blanch asparagus: Have ready large bowl ice water

2

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

3

Add asparagus and boil, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes

4

Drain, then immediately plunge spears into ice water to stop cooking

5

Drain again and pat dry

6

Have ready large bowl ice water

7

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

8

Add asparagus and boil, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes

9

Drain, then immediately plunge spears into ice water to stop cooking

10

Drain again and pat dry

11

Blanch fava beans: Have ready large bowl ice water

12

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

13

Add fava beans and boil, uncovered, 1 minute

14

Drain in colander, then immediately plunge colander into ice water to stop cooking

15

Drain again

16

Slip outer skin off each bean and discard

17

Have ready large bowl ice water

18

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

19

Add fava beans and boil, uncovered, 1 minute

20

Drain in colander, then immediately plunge colander into ice water to stop cooking

21

Drain again

22

Slip outer skin off each bean and discard

23

Blanch sugar snap peas: Have ready large bowl ice water

24

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

25

Add peas and boil, uncovered, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes

26

Drain in colander, then immediately plunge colander into ice water to stop cooking

27

Drain again and spread on paper towels to dry

28

Have ready large bowl ice water

29

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

30

Add peas and boil, uncovered, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes

31

Drain in colander, then immediately plunge colander into ice water to stop cooking

32

Drain again and spread on paper towels to dry

33

Blanch basil: Have ready large bowl ice water

34

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

35

Add basil and boil, uncovered, 45 seconds

36

Drain in colander, then immediately plunge colander into ice water to stop cooking

37

Drain again and spread on paper towels to dry

38

(Asparagus, fava beans, sugar snap peas, and basil can be blanched up to 4 hours ahead, then dried well, and chilled, covered until needed

39

) Have ready large bowl ice water

40

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

41

Add basil and boil, uncovered, 45 seconds

42

Drain in colander, then immediately plunge colander into ice water to stop cooking

43

Drain again and spread on paper towels to dry

44

(Asparagus, fava beans, sugar snap peas, and basil can be blanched up to 4 hours ahead, then dried well, and chilled, covered until needed

45

) Make pistou: In large bowl, toss together asparagus, fava beans, and peas

46

Transfer half vegetable mixture to blender and add basil

47

Blend until chopped, then add 5 tablespoons olive oil in slow, steady stream, and blend until smooth

48

In heavy, large saucepan, over moderately high heat, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil until hot but not smoking

49

Add shallot and sauté until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes

50

Stir in vegetable stock, vegetable purée, remaining blanched vegetables, salt, and pepper and bring to simmer

51

Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally until vegetables are heated through, 3 to 5 minutes

52

Ladle into bowls, sprinkle each with herb mixture, and serve immediately

53

In large bowl, toss together asparagus, fava beans, and peas

54

Transfer half vegetable mixture to blender and add basil

55

Blend until chopped, then add 5 tablespoons olive oil in slow, steady stream, and blend until smooth

56

In heavy, large saucepan, over moderately high heat, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil until hot but not smoking

57

Add shallot and sauté until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes

58

Stir in vegetable stock, vegetable purée, remaining blanched vegetables, salt, and pepper and bring to simmer

59

Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally until vegetables are heated through, 3 to 5 minutes

60

Ladle into bowls, sprinkle each with herb mixture, and serve immediately