Imagine the comforting aroma of roasted garlic wafting through your kitchen as you prepare a warm and inviting French garlic soup.
This simple yet indulgent dish is a breeze to make, perfect for a cozy evening at home.
As the roasted garlic mellows and blends with fresh herbs and creamy broth, the transformation is pure magic.
Ready to savor this delightful combination? Let’s bring this dish to life together!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 large pot
- 1 ladle
- 1 whisk
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 3 whole heads garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup stale bread, cubed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking French Garlic Soup, follow this timeline:
1. Reading the Recipe (5 minutes): Start by reading through the entire recipe to familiarize yourself with the steps and ingredients.
2. Preheat the Oven (1 minute): Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Prepare Garlic for Roasting (5 minutes):
- Cut the tops off the garlic heads.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Wrap in foil.
4. Roast Garlic (20 minutes): Place the garlic in the preheated oven and roast for 20 minutes.
5. Chop Onion and Prepare Ingredients (10 minutes):
- While the garlic is roasting, chop the onion.
- Measure out the broth, cube the stale bread, and chop the parsley and thyme.
6. Let Garlic Cool (5 minutes): Once roasted, remove garlic from the oven and let it cool slightly.
7. Cook Onion (5 minutes):
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until soft.
8. Add Garlic and Broth (3 minutes):
- Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the pot and stir.
- Add the broth and bring to a boil.
9. Simmer with Bread and Herbs (10 minutes):
- Reduce heat and add cubed stale bread, parsley, thyme, and bay leaf.
- Simmer for 10 minutes until the bread softens.
10. Blend and Finish (5 minutes):
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Blend the soup until smooth using a whisk or immersion blender.
- Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.
11. Resting Time and Serve (5 minutes):
- Let the soup rest for a few minutes.
- Ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley if desired.
Adjust the timeline as needed based on your personal cooking speed and kitchen setup.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cut the tops off the garlic heads, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion, cooking until soft.
Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the pot and stir well.
Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat and add the cubed stale bread, parsley, thyme, and bay leaf.
Simmer for 10 minutes until the bread is softened.
Remove the bay leaf and blend the soup until smooth using a whisk or immersion blender.
Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Serving Tips
- Crusty French Bread: Perfect for dipping into the creamy soup and soaking up the flavors.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle on top for an added layer of cheesy goodness.
- Fresh Green Salad: Light and invigorating, it complements the rich garlic flavors of the soup.
- Roasted Vegetables: A side of roasted carrots or asparagus adds a colorful and nutritious component.
- White Wine: A crisp glass pairs well, enhancing the herbal notes of the soup.
Storage
To store French Garlic Soup, let it cool completely.
Then transfer it to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding broth if needed.
Freezing
To freeze French Garlic Soup, cool it completely.
Then, transfer to airtight containers. Leave some space for expansion.
Label with the date, and freeze for up to three months.
Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat French Garlic Soup, gently warm it on the stove over low heat.
Stir occasionally until heated through.
Avoid boiling to preserve the creamy texture and delicate flavors.
Final Thoughts
French Garlic Soup is a delightful and comforting dish that brings the rich flavors of roasted garlic and herbs to your table.
Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup highlights the simple yet profound taste of garlic, enhanced by the smoothness of cream and the freshness of herbs.
Whether served as a starter or a main course, it’s sure to impress.
For an added touch, consider pairing it with a crusty piece of baguette or a light salad.
Enjoy this French classic, and don’t hesitate to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
Bon appétit!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can French Garlic Soup Be Made Vegan?
You can easily make it vegan by replacing chicken broth with vegetable broth and using coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Focus on fresh, high-quality garlic and herbs to enhance flavors, ensuring a delicious vegan version.
What Wine Pairs Well With French Garlic Soup?
You should pair French Garlic Soup with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Chardonnay. Both wines cut through the soup’s richness, enhancing the roasted garlic and herb flavors. Make certain it’s chilled for the best experience.
Are There Any Substitutes for Stale Bread?
You can substitute stale bread with fresh bread toasted until crisp, or use croutons for texture. For a gluten-free option, try using cooked quinoa or rice, ensuring they absorb flavors and thicken the soup effectively.
How Can I Make the Soup Spicier?
To spice up your soup, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne while simmering. For a bolder kick, incorporate a chopped jalapeño or serrano pepper with the onions. Taste and adjust as needed.
Can I Use Pre-Minced Garlic Instead of Fresh?
You can use pre-minced garlic, but it won’t provide the same depth of flavor as fresh roasted garlic. The roasting process mellows and sweetens the garlic, enhancing the soup’s taste markedly. Fresh is always preferable.
French Garlic Soup
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Ladle
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 3 whole heads garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup stale bread cubed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the garlic heads, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion, cooking until soft.
- Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the pot and stir well.
- Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and add the cubed stale bread, parsley, thyme, and bay leaf.
- Simmer for 10 minutes until the bread is softened.
- Remove the bay leaf and blend the soup until smooth using a whisk or immersion blender.
- Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Notes
