Cucumber Soup With Pistou

Ingredients

1 tb olive oil
1 leek
1 stalk celery with leaves
1 lb cucumbers
2 ts lemon juice
4 c chicken stock
2 garlic
1/4 c basil
4 ts walnuts
2 ts parmesan cheese
4 ts olive oil
1/2 sized tomato

Instructions

stock. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until cucumbers are tender. Cool slightly. To prepare Pistou: With a mortar and pestle, mash together garlic, basil and walnuts to a paste. (you can also use a bowl with a wooden spoon). Work in a little cheese and oil and one-third of the tomato. Keep adding cheese, oil and tomato. The mixture will not be a true emulsion but a barely fluid paste. Transfer cucumber mixture to a food processor or blender and puree, in batches, until smooth. Ladle soup into serving bowl. Pass the pistou. Allow 1 tablespoon of pistou per serving to be placed in the center of the bowl, then swirl into soup. Enjoy David.... **>>April<<**