Italian Roasted Garlic Soup Recipes

ROASTED GARLIC SOUP

Steps:

• For the roasted garlic, this can be done a day ahead:
• Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Cut the bottom portion off where the garlic attaches to the base. To make peeling the garlic easy, you can smash them a bit then the peel will come right off. Place garlic in small glass baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and add a dash each of salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Cover baking dish tightly with a lid or foil and bake until garlic is golden brown and tender, about 45 minutes. Transfer cloves to small bowl. If making the day before, place cooled garlic in a plastic bag or covered dish and refrigerate until needed. By the way, this roasted garlic is fabulous anytime for a garlic paste or just for snacking on the roasted garlic cloves. The oil, salt and pepper, and roasting method create a fabulous treat.

ITALIAN ROASTED GARLIC SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Rub off some of the papery outer skins of the garlic heads but do not peel them or separate the cloves, leave the heads intact.
• Slice 1/4" off the top of each garlic head.
• Place the heads, cut side up, in a lightly sprayed or oiled baking dish.
• Drizzle 1/2 teaspoons oil over each head.
• Bake, uncovered, until golden, about 1 hour.
• Cool slightly then press the whole head with your hand all at once to release the garlic pulp.
• Place the pulp in a bowl and set aside.
• In a large soup pot over medium heat, warm the remaining oil.
• Add onion and celery and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add reserved garlic pulp, stock, beans, basil salt, pepper and bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.
• Remove bay leaf and discard.
• In a food processor or blender (or better yet, an immersion blender, which is what I used), puree soup in batches.
• Return to pot and stir in half-and-half.
• Simmer until flavors are blended, about 5 minutes.
• Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

ROASTED GARLIC SOUP

Steps:

• Cut off top 1/4 inch of each garlic head. Place in a small, shallow baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until golden, about 1 hour. Cool slightly. Press individual garlic cloves between thumb and finger to release. Chop garlic.
• Melt butter or margarine in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, leeks, and onion; saute until onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Add flour and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in hot broth and sherry. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.
• Puree soup in batches in a blender or food processor.
• Return soup to saucepan, and add cream. Simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Add lemon juice to taste. Season with salt and white pepper. Ladle into bowls. Garnish with chives.