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A humble yet elegant soup made with whole garlic cloves slowly simmered in broth until sweet and soft, then finished with herbs, egg, and crusty bread. Rich in flavor, light on ingredients — it’s a timeless French comfort food.
⏱ Prep Time
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 35–40 minutes
- Total Time: ~45–50 minutes
🍽 Equipment Needed
- Medium soup pot or Dutch oven
- Garlic peeler or knife
- Whisk
- Ladle
- Strainer (optional, for a smoother broth)
🧾 Ingredients
- 1 large head of garlic (10–12 cloves), peeled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
- 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan or Gruyère cheese (optional)
- Crusty bread, sliced and toasted (baguette preferred)
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Garlic: Don’t be afraid of using a lot — it mellows and sweetens as it simmers.
- Broth: Use a good-quality homemade or store-bought broth for depth of flavor.
- Egg: Whisked into the hot broth, it creates a silky texture (like egg drop soup).
- Cheese: Adds richness, but traditional versions may omit it.
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Soften the Garlic:
- In a soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add peeled garlic cloves and sauté gently for 3–5 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant (don’t let it burn).
2. Simmer the Broth:
- Add broth, thyme, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover and cook for 25–30 minutes until garlic is very soft.
- Optional: Gently mash garlic cloves in the pot or blend for a smoother soup.
3. Temper & Add Eggs:
- In a small bowl, beat the eggs.
- Slowly drizzle the eggs into the gently simmering soup while whisking constantly to create soft ribbons (like egg drop soup).
- Simmer for 2–3 more minutes to cook the egg fully.
4. Serve:
- Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf.
- Ladle soup into bowls over slices of toasted bread.
- Sprinkle with cheese, cracked black pepper, or chopped parsley if desired.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a starter with a simple green salad
- Make it a light meal with extra toasted bread and a poached egg on top
- Pairs beautifully with a glass of dry white wine
🔢 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, approx.)
- Calories: ~200 (without bread or cheese)
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Varies based on toppings and bread used
💡 Tips & Variations
✅ Tips:
- For extra richness, blend in a small knob of butter at the end.
- Roasted garlic can be used instead of raw for a deeper flavor.
- Strain the soup through a sieve for an ultra-smooth version.
🔄 Variations:
- Provencal Twist: Add a pinch of saffron or herbs de Provence.
- Vegetarian: Use vegetable broth and skip the cheese or sub with a vegan option.
- Creamy Version: Stir in a splash of cream or milk before serving.
- Hearty: Add cooked white beans or lentils for more substance.
