Photo by Nicole Sipe |
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Pesto
- 1½ cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
- 1 T. pine nuts
- 1/2 T. coarsely chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 T. olive oil
Soup
- 2 cups 1-inch asparagus (trimmed) or green bean pieces
- 1 cup 1/4-inch-thick sliced yellow summer squash
- 1 cup 1/4-inch-thick sliced small zucchini
- 1 cup chopped bell pepper (any color)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 14½ ounces home-canned tomatoes, salsa or fire-roasted diced tomatoes in juice
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 cups water
- 2 large or 4 small dried bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp. fennel seeds
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup orzo
Preparation
Pesto
Purée all pesto ingredients in food processor until smooth.
Soup
In large stock pot, combine fresh vegetables, tomatoes, broth and water. Stir in bay leaves, fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Cover and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in orzo. Cover, increase heat to medium, and cook additional 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in two-thirds of pesto. Let sit for 20 minutes to meld flavors. Remove bay leaves. Serve hot or cold, garnished with swirl of remaining pesto.
