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Country French Garlic Soup Recipe

Country French Garlic Soup Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 23 reviews

Country French Garlic Soup is a comforting and flavorful soup featuring roasted garlic, caramelized onions, and aromatic herbs simmered in vegetable or chicken broth. Finished with creamy milk or cream and served with crusty bread, this rustic soup is perfect for garlic lovers seeking a warm, hearty dish with a touch of elegance.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 whole heads of garlic, roasted
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
  • 2 medium yellow onions, diced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream (or plant-based milk)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish & Serving

  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Crusty bread or toasted baguette slices, for serving

Optional Ingredients

  • Splash of white wine
  • Parmesan rind
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the tops off the garlic heads to expose the cloves, drizzle them with olive oil, then wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Roast in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes until tender and fragrant. Once cool, squeeze the roasted cloves out of their skins and set aside.
  2. Sauté Onions: In a large pot, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onions and cook slowly for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and caramelized, which adds depth and sweetness to the soup.
  3. Combine and Simmer: Add the roasted garlic, fresh thyme, bay leaf, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the pot. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld wonderfully.
  4. Blend (Optional): Remove the bay leaf. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer portions to a regular blender to puree the soup until you reach your preferred consistency. Blending is optional and can be partial if you like some chunky texture.
  5. Add Dairy: Stir in the whole milk, heavy cream, or plant-based milk of your choice and warm the soup gently over low heat. Avoid boiling, as this could curdle the dairy. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper. Serve immediately with crusty bread or toasted baguette slices to enjoy a classic, hearty meal.

Notes

  • Roasting the garlic mellows its sharpness and adds richness to the soup.
  • Caramelizing onions slowly is key for developing the soup’s sweet and deep flavor.
  • Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version or chicken broth for a richer taste.
  • Optional splash of white wine adds acidity and complexity—add it when sautéing onions.
  • Parmesan rind can be simmered with the broth to impart umami, then removed before blending.
  • For a vegan version, use plant-based milk and omit butter or substitute with plant-based margarine.
  • Adjust the thickness by controlling how much you blend and the type/amount of dairy added.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic soup, French soup, roasted garlic, caramelized onion soup, creamy garlic soup, vegetarian soup, comfort food

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/country-french-garlic-soup-recipe/