5.0 from 51 votes
Czech Garlic Soup – Česnečka
This is a traditional recipe for Czech garlic soup with potatoes, called Česnečka or Česneková polévka.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 234 kcal
Course:
Soup
Cuisine:
Czech
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes peeled and cubed (e.g., Yukon Gold)
- 8 cloves garlic peeled and sliced
- 5 cups chicken broth (1.2 l)
- 1 Tablespoon lard (or sunflower/canola oil)
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- salt the exact amount depends on the saltiness of the chicken broth - salt the soup to your liking
Rye bread croutons:
- 2 lices stale bread
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Before you start cooking: Peel 4 medium potatoes, dice them into cubes about ½ inch (1-1.5 cm) thick. Peel 8 cloves garlic thinly slice them.
- In a soup pot, melt the 1 Tablespoon lard over medium heat. Add potato cubes and sauté them until lightly golden brown. It takes about 5 minutes. Stir frequently.
- Add sliced garlic, 2 bay leaves, and sauté for 1 minute (no longer!).
- Pour in5 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, add salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon dried marjoram. Cook for 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
- Serve with bread croutons.
Cup of Yum
Bread croutons:
- Grab 2 slices stale bread. Cut it in cubes of about ½ inch (1-1.5 cm).
- Grease a baking dish with 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter.
- Add bread cubes and place the dish into the oven preheated to 340 °F
- Roast for 10 minutes, stirring the bread cubes halfway through to ensure they get crispy on all sides.
Notes
- The basic recipe makes 4 portions.
- For an even more intense flavor, add some freshly minced raw garlic to the soup just before serving.
- Add the roasted bread croutons to the soup just before eating to prevent them from getting mushy.
- Garlic soup stays good for up to three days when stored in the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Calories
234kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
39g
(13%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
8mg
(3%)
Sodium
89mg
(4%)
Potassium
769mg
(22%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
98IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
36mg
(40%)
Calcium
53mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 234
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 234kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 89mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 769mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 98IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 36mg | 40% |
| Calcium | 53mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.