Description
Experience the delightful warmth of French Garlic Soup, a comforting dish that transforms humble ingredients into a flavorful masterpiece.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 to 2 large heads of fresh garlic
- 6 cups chicken, vegetable, or beef broth
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2–3 large fresh egg yolks
- Day-old baguette or rustic country bread
- 1–2 teaspoons red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
- Fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Sea salt
Instructions
- Begin by peeling all your garlic cloves. For the best flavor and texture, thinly slice them or finely mince them. Set the prepared garlic aside.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat about 2 tablespoons of good quality olive oil over very low heat. Add your prepared garlic and gently sweat it until fragrant and softened, about 5-7 minutes, without browning.
- Once the garlic is fragrant and translucent, carefully pour in 6 cups of your chosen broth. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme and one bay leaf. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let it cook for at least 20-25 minutes.
- While the soup simmers, prepare your bread by slicing your day-old baguette or rustic bread into thick slices. Toast these slices until lightly golden and crisp, or cut them into cubes to make croutons.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 2-3 egg yolks until smooth. Once the soup has finished simmering, remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Ladle about half a cup of the hot broth into the whisked egg yolks, whisking continuously. Gradually pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pot of soup, whisking constantly, and stir gently over low heat for another 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the soup from the heat. Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar, and season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- To serve, place a toasted bread slice or a handful of croutons in the bottom of each serving bowl. Ladle the hot French Garlic Soup over the bread, and optionally sprinkle with grated Gruyère or Parmesan cheese, drizzle with fresh olive oil, or garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg