Parisian Cream of Green Bean with White Wine and Herbs - Original Recipe and Modified

Here is a soup I invented for Soup Sisters.  It's in "The Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers Cookbook, More than 100 Heart-warming Seasonal Recipes for You to Cook at Home." Edited by Sharon Hapton.

It's my signature soup and it is perfect whether you serve it for a fancy luncheon or during the week with a nice glass of wine.  It is luxurious and will make you feel like it is a special occasion. 

This past weekend instead of adding whip cream however, I swapped it with 1% milk.  Still delicious

2 lb. green beans, trimmed, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 onion, finely chopped, 1/2 cup diced celery, 1/2 cup peeled and diced carrot, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1/4 cup butter, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 8 cups chicken stock, 2 cups whipping cream (modified, 2 cups 1% milk, 1 cup white wine, 3 tbsp. finely chopped chives, 3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh dill, 3 tbsp. finely chopped parsley, 3 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, salt and pepper to taste, fresh parsley for garnish.

Have ready a bowl of ice water.  In a large saucepan of boiling, salted water, cook the beans until tender, about 15 minutes.  Drain well.  Immediately put the beans in the ice water.  Set aside.

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add the onions, celery, carrot and garlic.  Cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened (make sure the garlic doesn't brown).  Scrape the onion mixture out of the pot and set aside.  Wipe out the pot.

In the same pot, heat the butter over medium heat.  Add the flour.  Cook, stirring, for about 15 seconds.

Gradually whisk in the stock and cream or milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.

Add the wine, drained beans and reserved onion mixture.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Add the chives, dill, parsley and thyme.

Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are tender, 10 or 15 minutes.

Puree the soup until smooth.  Reheat gently.  Season with and pepper to taste.

Ladle up vibrant bowlfuls, garnish with parsley and celebrate green bean season!