Green Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb. fresh green beans
• 1 lb. new baby potatoes
• 1/2 c. chopped onions
• 1/2 c. chopped celery
• 1 carrot, sliced thinly
• 1/2 tsp. sweet basil
• 1/2 tsp. thyme
• 1/2 tsp. summer or winter savory
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 beef bouillon cubes
• 1 c. cream or milk
• 1 lb. ham or roast beef
• 1 c. buttermilk
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. sour cream or mayonnaise or 1/4 c. low-fat cottage cheese (optional)
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. dried onion flakes
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. salt to taste
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• lots of black pepper