Hungarian Green Bean Soup (Zöldbableves)

Ingredients:

• 500g green beans (fresh or frozen), trimmed
• 2 tbsp oil or butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 tsp Hungarian paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp dried dill (or fresh dill)
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 cups vegetable or chicken broth

Optional creamy version:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1–2 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice