Description
Sopa de Ajo, or Spanish Garlic Soup, is a comforting traditional dish featuring fragrant sautéed garlic, smoky paprika, stale bread, and silky ribbons of egg in a flavorful chicken or vegetable broth. This quick and easy soup is perfect for a cozy meal and highlights simple ingredients with bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 8 to 10 large cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
- 4 ounces stale bread, torn or thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (pimentón)
- 6 to 7 cups chicken stock or vegetable broth
- 4 large eggs, whisked
- Fine sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the garlic and bread: Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant and just golden, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the smoked paprika to coat the garlic evenly.
- Add the bread: Toss the stale bread pieces into the pot and stir to coat them thoroughly in the garlic oil and paprika. Continue cooking for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently, allowing the bread to absorb the flavors.
- Simmer the soup: Pour in 6 cups of chicken stock and stir well. Use a wooden spoon to break apart the bread as it softens in the broth. Bring the soup to a strong simmer to meld the flavors and soften the bread completely.
- Add the eggs: Create a slow circular whirlpool in the simmering soup with your spoon, then gradually pour in the whisked eggs while continuing to stir gently. This technique forms delicate ribbons of cooked egg throughout the soup.
- Season and adjust consistency: If you prefer a thinner soup, add up to 1 more cup of stock. Taste the soup and season with fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and additional smoked paprika if desired.
- Serve: Ladle the hot and fragrant soup into bowls immediately and enjoy it warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use stale bread to help the bread hold up and absorb flavors without becoming too mushy.
- Be careful not to overcook the garlic or let it burn as this will make the soup bitter.
- Whisk the eggs thoroughly before adding to the soup to ensure smooth egg ribbons.
- Adjust the broth amount to your desired soup thickness.
- You can substitute vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Spanish
Keywords: Sopa de Ajo, Spanish Garlic Soup, garlic soup, paprika soup, traditional Spanish soup, easy soup recipe
