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French Garlic Soup

This unique French soup combines garlic and sage in a chicken stock base, thickened with homemade mayonnaise for a surprisingly velvety texture. Ready in just 25 minutes.

Featured in Comforting Bowls.

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Updated on Wed, 01 Jan 2025 17:37:28 GMT
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A bowl of creamy soup garnished with herbs and a piece of toasted bread, accompanied by garlic and additional bread slices in the background. Pin it
A bowl of creamy soup garnished with herbs and a piece of toasted bread, accompanied by garlic and additional bread slices in the background. | quickierecipe.com

Let me share a treasured recipe straight from the charming town of Lautrec! This French garlic soup or velouté is such a special dish that perfectly balances delicate flavors with silky texture. I love how it transforms simple ingredients into something truly magical using a unique technique with mayonnaise. Every time I make it I'm transported to those cozy French bistros!

Benefits of Garlic Soup

This soup is truly amazing not just for its flavor but for how nourishing it is! The garlic works its magic both in taste and wellness making it perfect when you're feeling under the weather or just need some comfort. It's become my go to recipe for those chilly evenings when I want something light but satisfying.

Key Ingredients for Soup

  • Garlic: Choose fresh plump heads those big cloves give such lovely mild flavor.
  • Chicken Stock: The foundation of our soup homemade makes it extra special!
  • Fresh Sage: Adds such wonderful aromatics to the broth.
  • Egg: This is crucial for our silky smooth texture.
  • Olive Oil: Use your best extra virgin it really shines here.
  • Salt: Just enough to make all those flavors sing.

Let's Make Magic

Getting Started with Garlic
Taking care with the garlic prep is so important! Those little shoots can make things bitter so we'll remove them gently.
Creating the Base
Mashing those softened cloves is like creating liquid gold!
Building Our Broth
Watch how the garlic infuses into the stock pure kitchen magic.
The Final Touch
This mayonnaise technique is what makes our soup uniquely French.

Make It Your Own

Sometimes I'll add a poached egg on top or some tender chicken pieces for extra protein. A handful of fresh spinach wilted in at the end is lovely too! And oh that sprinkle of Gruyère when you're feeling indulgent absolutely divine!

Perfect Every Time

The secret to that silky texture is all in the timing! Never rush the garlic cooking and make sure to whisk that mayonnaise in with care off the heat. These little details make such a difference in the final result.

Keep It Fresh

This soup keeps beautifully for a few days in the fridge. Just warm it gently when you're ready to enjoy another bowl. I love serving it with crusty baguette slices the combination is simply perfect!

A black bowl of creamy soup garnished with olive oil, spices, and a sprig of sage, accompanied by pieces of bread on a wooden serving board. Pin it
A black bowl of creamy soup garnished with olive oil, spices, and a sprig of sage, accompanied by pieces of bread on a wooden serving board. | quickierecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why remove the garlic embryonic shoot?
The center shoot can be bitter, especially when using lots of garlic. Removing it ensures a better flavor in the finished soup.
→ Why boil the garlic separately?
Pre-boiling the garlic softens it for mashing and helps mellow its strong flavor for a more balanced soup.
→ What's the purpose of tempering the mayonnaise?
Adding hot soup to the mayonnaise before incorporating it prevents curdling when adding it to the full pot.
→ Why can't the soup boil after adding mayonnaise?
Boiling could cause the egg-based mayonnaise to curdle, ruining the soup's smooth, velvety texture.
→ Is straining the soup necessary?
Straining is optional but recommended for achieving a velvety smooth texture in the traditional style.

Conclusion

This unique French soup combines tender garlic and fresh sage in a traditional Southern French preparation. Featuring a homemade mayonnaise-thickened chicken stock, the soup offers a velvety texture and nuanced flavor profile.

French Garlic Soup

A traditional Southern French soup featuring tender garlic and fresh sage in a velvety broth thickened with homemade mayonnaise.

Prep Time
~
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 8 Servings (8 bowls)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 64 ounces chicken stock.
02 Small bunch fresh sage.
03 1 large head of garlic.
04 ⅔ cup olive oil.
05 1 large egg, separated.
06 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
07 Pinch salt.

Instructions

Step 01

Simmer chicken stock and sage in Dutch oven while preparing garlic.

Step 02

Peel and halve garlic cloves, remove centers. Boil 3-4 minutes, drain and mash finely.

Step 03

Add mashed garlic to stock, simmer gently 10 minutes.

Step 04

Blend egg yolk, mustard, salt and oil with immersion blender until emulsified. Add egg white if needed.

Step 05

Optional: strain soup. Temper mayonnaise with hot soup, then add to pot. Heat without boiling.

Notes

  1. Do not boil after adding mayonnaise.
  2. Straining optional for smoother texture.
  3. Adapted from French Cooking Academy.

Tools You'll Need

  • Dutch oven or stock pot.
  • Immersion blender.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs (mayonnaise).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 255
  • Total Fat: 21 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 9 g
  • Protein: 7 g