COUNTRY FRENCH GARLIC SOUP
This rustic French Garlic Soup is a celebration of the humble garlic. Roasting the garlic mellows its flavor, creating a comforting and flavorful soup. It's simple to make and perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
- olive oil
- garlic 4-6 heads, cloves separated and unpeeled
- chicken broth or vegetable broth, 6 cups
- thyme fresh, 4 sprigs
- bay leaf 2 leaves
- herbes de provence dried, or mix of dried thyme, rosemary, and oregano, 1 teaspoon
- salt freshly ground, to taste
- black pepper freshly ground, to taste
- croutons toasted croutons, grated Gruyère cheese, drizzle of olive oil, fresh parsley; optional garnishes
- gruyere cheese
- olive oil
- parsley
Instructions
- Roast the garlic: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss the unpeeled garlic cloves with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-30 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and fragrant. Let cool slightly.
- Squeeze out the garlic: Once the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their peels into a medium-sized pot. Discard the peels.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Cook the roasted garlic over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes slightly caramelized. Be careful not to burn it.
- Add broth and aromatics: Pour the chicken broth (or vegetable broth) into the pot. Add the thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and herbes de Provence. Bring to a simmer.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and simmer the soup for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld.
- Season and serve: Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with toasted croutons, grated Gruyère cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Garlic: Don't be intimidated by the amount of garlic! Roasting mellows its flavor, making it sweet and savory. Use fresh, good-quality garlic.
- Broth: Chicken broth adds more depth of flavor, but vegetable broth is fine for a vegetarian version.
- Simmering: Slow simmering is key to developing the rich flavor of this soup.
- Garnishes: The garnishes are optional, but they add a nice touch of flavor and texture.
- Variations: Some recipes include adding a small amount of cream or milk for extra richness. You can also add other vegetables, such as onions or leeks, to the soup.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 250
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 250kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.