Quick, Easy, Awesome Green Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 cups chicken broth (use fresh, canned low-fat or low sodium, whatever you like)
1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1 sprig thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon olive oil
12 garlic cloves, pressed (I use up to 15 cloves)
1/2 lb fresh green beans, cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths (basically cut so they will fit on a soup spoon)
1 egg
3 teaspoons parsley
crouton (or crostini, optional)

Preparation

Combine first 5 ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer.
Press in garlic.
Add beans.
Simmer uncovered 10 minutes.
Adjust seasonings.
Beat egg well in a small bowl.
Temper egg by ladling some hot broth into the bowl.
Stir the soup while adding the egg to the simmering broth.
Add pepper to taste.
Top with croutons crostini if you choose.