Sopa de Ajo (Spanish Garlic Soup)

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 10 garlic cloves (thinly sliced)
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 2 cup stale bread (cut into small pieces)
• 1 cup Spanish ham (roughly chopped; such as Jamón Serrano or prosciutto)
• 4 cup chicken broth
• 6 eggs (divided (2 for ribbons, 4 for poaching))
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
• kosher salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
• fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

2. 2

   Add the 10 thinly sliced garlic cloves to the pot and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter.

3. 3

   Add 1 tablespoon of paprika and stir to mix well.

4. 4

   Add the 2 cups of stale bread pieces and 1 cup of chopped Spanish ham to the pot. Toss to coat everything in the oil and spices, and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

5. 5

   Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth and allow the mixture to come to a simmer.

6. 6

   While the soup is coming to a simmer, crack 2 of the eggs into a small bowl and whisk them well.

7. 7

   Add the whisked eggs into the simmering soup pot and quickly stir them in a circular motion to create smooth, thin egg ribbons.

8. 8

   Stir in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of sherry vinegar.

9. 9

   Taste the broth and season as needed with kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.

10. 10

    When ready to serve, carefully crack the remaining 4 whole eggs into the simmering soup pot.

11. 11

    Allow the eggs to poach for about 4 minutes, until the whites are just set but the yolks remain runny.

12. 12

    Ladle the soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets one poached egg. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy immediately.

Notes

For the Spanish ham, you can use Jamón Serrano or even prosciutto as a substitute. The bread should be truly stale to hold its texture in the broth.

Nutrition per serving

• soup
• main
• Spanish
• garlic
• comfort food
• easy recipe
• poached eggs