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Country French Garlic Soup Recipe

4.9 from 51 reviews

Country French Garlic Soup is a comforting and flavorful classic soup featuring caramelized garlic, onions, and fresh herbs simmered in broth, then enriched with a delicate Parmesan and egg yolk mixture. Served with crusty bread and optionally garnished with parsley, this soup is perfect for warming up on chilly days with its smooth texture and rich, savory taste.

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

Enrichment

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

To Serve

  • Crusty bread, for serving
  • Fresh parsley (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes, to develop the base flavors of the soup.
  2. Cook Garlic: Add the peeled garlic cloves to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to gently infuse the oil with the garlic’s aroma without browning the cloves.
  3. 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 over medium-high heat.
  4. Simmer Soup: Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 30 minutes to meld the flavors and soften the garlic thoroughly.
  5. Remove Herbs and Season: Carefully remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves from the pot. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. Prepare Egg-Parmesan Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth, creating the enrichment mixture for the soup.
  7. Temper and Combine: Slowly ladle a small amount of the hot soup into the egg yolk and cheese mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs and prevent curdling. Gradually whisk the tempered mixture back into the pot.
  8. Thicken Soup: Continue to simmer the soup for 5 more minutes over low heat, stirring continuously until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy in texture.
  9. Serve: Ladle the hot garlic soup into bowls and serve immediately with slices of crusty bread. Garnish optionally with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Notes

  • Use peeled garlic cloves whole to mellow their flavor while cooking; crushing them is not recommended for this recipe.
  • Choose chicken broth for a richer flavor or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
  • Be careful when tempering the eggs to avoid scrambling; whisk constantly and add hot soup gradually.
  • Fresh Parmesan cheese is key for the best flavor; avoid pre-grated powders for this recipe.
  • This soup can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to prevent curdling.

Keywords: garlic soup, French soup, creamy soup, Parmesan soup, easy dinner soup, comforting soup, autumn soup, winter soup