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Rustic French Garlic Soup

Rustic French Garlic Soup

Rustic French Garlic Soup is a hearty and soul-warming dish featuring the rich flavors of roasted garlic, crusty bread, and a flavorful broth. Perfect for cozy meals, this traditional French countryside recipe combines simple pantry ingredients to create a comforting bowl of soup that is both rustic and satisfying.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 8 to 10 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 4 cups rustic country bread, stale or day-old, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients

  • Gruyère or Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, for topping
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Red pepper flakes or smoked paprika, for a spicy kick
  • Fresh rosemary or sage, for herbaceous boost

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Garlic: Peel and lightly crush the garlic cloves to release their flavor. You may choose to sauté them gently in olive oil or roast whole garlic heads ahead of time to deepen their natural sweetness.
  2. Sauté the Garlic: In a large pot, warm the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and cook slowly until soft and fragrant but not browned, forming the base flavor of the soup.
  3. Add Broth and Herbs: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, then add fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  4. Incorporate Bread: Tear the rustic bread into bite-sized pieces and stir them into the simmering broth. Let the bread soften, absorb the broth, and thicken the soup naturally while adding rustic texture.
  5. Season and Blend: Season the soup with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Optionally, blend part or all of the soup with an immersion blender for a smoother texture, though keeping some chunks preserves the rustic charm.
  6. Serve Warm with Optional Cheese: Ladle the soup into bowls and if desired, top with freshly grated Gruyère or Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt slightly for added richness.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic to enhance the soup’s flavor intensity.
  • Day-old or stale bread is best as it absorbs broth better without becoming mushy.
  • Simmer the soup gently to keep garlic and broth flavors balanced and mellow.
  • Do not overblend; texture from bread chunks is key to rustic authenticity.
  • Adjust salt and pepper seasoning after all ingredients have cooked together for best results.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Sautéing and Simmering
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Rustic French Garlic Soup, Garlic Soup, French Soup, Comfort Food, Rustic Soup, Easy Soup Recipe