Description
Country French Garlic Soup is a comforting and aromatic dish featuring tender garlic cloves simmered in a flavorful broth with fresh herbs, finished with a rich mixture of egg yolks and Parmesan cheese for a creamy texture. This traditional soup is perfect served hot with crusty bread and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 whole heads of garlic, peeled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
To Serve
- Crusty bread
- Fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Cook Garlic: Add the peeled garlic cloves to the pot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently to release their aroma without browning.
- Add Broth and Herbs: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, then add the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer Soup: Reduce heat and let the soup simmer gently for 30 minutes to allow the garlic and herbs to infuse the broth with flavor.
- Remove Herbs and Season: Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves from the pot. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare Egg and Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Temper the Egg Mixture: Slowly ladle some hot soup into the egg and cheese mixture, whisking constantly to gently raise its temperature and prevent curdling. Then, pour this tempered mixture back into the pot.
- Thicken Soup: Simmer the soup for an additional 5 minutes, stirring continuously until the soup thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, serve with crusty bread, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Tempering the egg yolks with hot soup before adding back to the pot prevents the eggs from scrambling.
- You can substitute fresh thyme with dried thyme if fresh is not available, using about 1 teaspoon dried.
- This soup is delicious served with toasted baguette slices for added texture.
- Vegetarian option: use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- For a smoother texture, the soup can be puréed partially or fully before adding the egg mixture.
