Garlic Soup Italian Style

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                                       Garlic Soup Italian Style



Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 2 heads of garlic (about 20 cloves), peeled
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1–2 sprigs fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ cup stale bread, cubed (optional, for thickening)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
  • 2 egg yolks (optional, for richness)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Toasted bread slices or croutons (for serving)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Garlic

  1. Peel the garlic cloves. To mellow the flavor, you can blanch them:
    • Bring a small pot of water to a boil.
    • Add the garlic cloves and blanch for 1 minute.
    • Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

  1. Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
  3. Add the garlic cloves and cook for another 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and become fragrant.

Step 3: Simmer the Soup

  1. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth.
  2. Add thyme and the bay leaf.
  3. If using, stir in the cubed bread for a thicker consistency.
  4. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until the garlic is very tender.

Step 4: Blend the Soup

  1. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs.
  2. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the soup to a blender, blend in batches, and return it to the pot.

Step 5: Enrich the Soup (Optional)

  1. For a creamy finish, whisk the egg yolks in a small bowl.
  2. Slowly add a ladle of hot soup to the yolks, whisking constantly to temper them.
  3. Gradually stir the yolk mixture back into the soup over low heat. Do not let the soup boil, as this could curdle the yolks.

Step 6: Serve

  1. Ladle the soup into bowls.
  2. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil.
  3. Serve with toasted bread slices or croutons on the side.

Tips for Variations

  • Creamy Option: Add ½ cup of heavy cream or milk instead of egg yolks.
  • Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of red chili flakes for some heat.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan: Use vegetable broth and skip the egg yolks and Parmesan. Blend in a small boiled potato for extra creaminess.

Enjoy your fragrant and warming Italian garlic soup! Let me know if you'd like more variations or pairing suggestions. 😊

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