George's at the Cove Soup

I recently visited my daughter in her new home in La Jolla and brought her out to dinner at Georges at the Cove, a lovely restaurant overlooking the ocean that is known for "George's Famous Soup" in addition to its gorgeous view. I remember loving the soup when I visited this restaurant many years ago and it was still just as delicious. I made a healthy adaptation of it at home with much less cream plus more broccoli and beans and it tasted amazing!

Joy's Healthy Adaptation to George's Famous Soup

2 T olive oil

2 diced carrots

1/2 diced onion

2 stalks celery diced

1 head broccoli, stalk stems chopped small and florets small

2 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoons dried oregano

4 cups chicken stock, hot

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1⁄2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce 

1 cup diced smoked chicken (I used rotisserie chicken that I flavored with 1/2 teaspoon Mesquite Liquid Smoke)

1 can rinsed black beans

1/2 cup heavy cream

salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste

Sauté carrots, onion, celery and broccoli stems for 5 minutes. Add thyme, oregano and basil; sauté 5 minutes more. Add hot chicken stock and reduce by one-third. Add Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, smoked chicken, beans, broccoli florets: simmer for 5 minutes. Add cream, simmer for 5 minutes more and season to taste (thickening with cornstarch if desired). 

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      Georges by the Cove Soup as served at the Restaurant           

George's Famous Soup Original Recipe Ingredients:

1⁄2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup dices carrot

1⁄2 cup diced onion

1⁄2 cup diced celery

1 cup broccoli stem, peeled and diced

2 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1⁄4 cup dry white wine

4 cups chicken stock, hot

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1⁄2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce 

1 cup diced smoked chicken

1 cup cooked black beans

1 cup broccoli floret

2 cups heavy cream

salt and pepper to taste