Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 heads garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3 leeks, sliced in rounds
  • 1 lb potato, peeled and cubed in 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 carrots, sliced in thin rounds
  • 2 quarts water
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • 14 cup whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 baguette or 1 other French bread, cubed in 1 inch pieces
  • 1 cup shredded gruyere (or substitute Swiss cheese) or 1 cup emmenthaler cheese (or substitute Swiss cheese)
  • salt and pepper

Method

  • In a large pot, heat two tablespoons of the olive oil on medium heat and add the leeks and garlic.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally for five minutes.
  • Add the carrots and potatoes and cook for five more minutes.
  • Add the two quarts of water and the bouillon cube and bring soup to a simmer.
  • Partially cover with a lid and cook for about an hour.
  • Just before serving, place the French bread cubes on a non-stick tray.
  • Cover the bread with shredded cheese and drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil on top (you can use more olive oil if you wish).
  • Bake at 400*F. for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, and working in small portions, puree the soup with the cream and butter until it is smooth.
  • Return to soup pot and heat through.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • To serve distribute the cheese topped croutons into soup bowls and ladle the soup on top.
  • Note: Serving Suggestions:.
  • There's no getting around it.
  • This garlic soup recipe has a strong flavor and it does tend to take hold in the body for a while.
  • So better to eat this with your beloved -- that way you can smell garlicky together.
  • Also, most people find that although it is delicious, facing this soup in leftovers the next day can be a bit daunting.
  • So best to make what you can finish in one sitting.
  • With its substantial topping you can serve this easy soup as a main course, although I'd recommend a first course of a salad or perhaps something even heavier for hearty appetites.
  • You don't have to use smoked garlic from Arleux to make this garlic soup recipe, but do make sure that you use excellent quality garlic.
  • Look for heads of garlic that have large cloves (that will save you considerable time in preparing the garlic).
  • The cloves should be firm, not soft or shriveled up.