Roasted Garlic Soup With Thyme Croutons Recipes

ROASTED GARLIC-THYME SOUP

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan heat the olive oil over very low heat. Add the celery, onion, carrots, leek and thyme. Cook for about 30 minutes, until very soft and brown. Stir occasionally and keep the heat low to prevent the vegetables from burning. Add the bay leaves, peppercorns, and stock, increase the heat and bring the liquid to a boil. Immediately reduce the heat to very low and simmer, covered for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain the stock into a clean pan, pressing down on the solids to extract all their flavor. Discard the solids. Add the large bunch of thyme to the broth and simmer actively for 15 minutes. Strain again and add the roasted garlic cloves, cream, salt and pepper. Taste for seasoning and serve in heated cream soup bowls. Sprinkle the toasted croutes with a little Parmesan. Top each bowl with a toasted croute and a sprig of thyme.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. With a sharp knife, slice off the very top of the garlic, just to expose most of the cloves (this will make them easier to squeeze out after cooking). Make a doubled layer of aluminum foil about 6 by 6 inches square. Place the garlic in the center and bring up the sides a little to form a cup. Drizzle over the olive oil and add the oregano, salt and pepper. Bring the sides all the way up and twist together to make a firm seal. Place in the oven and roast for 20 to 25 minutes. Open the top so the garlic will stop cooking and set aside until cool enough to handle. Squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins and discard the skins.

ROASTED GARLIC SOUP AND ARTICHOKE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F.
• For the roasted garlic soup:
• In a small pan, pour the olive oil and place each half garlic head HYPERLINK "http://fxcuisine.com/zoom-image.asp?image=http://fxcuisine.com/blogimages/french-cuisine/garlic-soup/french-garlic-soup-07-1000.jpg&t=" flat in the oil.
• Roast the garlic in the oven for about 40 minutes or until the garlic is soft throughout and nicely browned. Remove the skins from the garlic.
• Place half the cloves garlic in a large pot and mash them with 1/2 the infused garlic oil. Add the flour and cook on medium heat for 2 minutes.
• Add the chicken stock and thyme and bring to a boil and then let simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• To prepare the artichokes:
• Start by cutting off the exterior leaves using a very sharp paring knife. Cut only at the base of the leaf and not into the hard heart.
• Once the heart is visible, cut the top of the artichoke off by first locating the top of the heart. Cook's Note: This is simply done by feeling the artichoke starting at the bottom of the artichoke and feeling progressively upwards. The heart will feel hard; where there is no heart, the leaves will feel noticeably soft.
• Cut through the leaves at the top of the artichoke using a sharp sturdy knife, like a chef's knife.
• Peel the stem of the artichoke using a paring knife. Scrape out the "choke" or the fuzzy center of the artichoke heart. Rub with lemon to prevent the artichoke from discoloring. Cut the artichoke heart and stem into sections.
• Cook in boiling, salted, and lightly acidulated (with lemon juice) water until the hearts are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• In a pan, on medium heat the olive oil, add the artichoke and shallots. Saute for 5 minutes, until lightly caramelized. Season with salt and pepper. Add parsley. Keep aside.
• To assemble:
• Preheat the oven to broil.
• Brush the slices of bread with the remaining garlic-infused oil, garnish with the sauteed artichoke and cheese. Grill in the oven until the cheese is melted and slightly golden brown.
• When ready to serve, place an artichoke crouton in a shallow bowl, add a ladle of the roasted garlic soup.

ROASTED GARLIC SOUP WITH GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until the fat is rendered, about 4 minutes. Add the leeks, onions, salt, pepper, and thyme, and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are very soft but not colored, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the roasted garlic and stir well to incorporate. Add the wine, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring, until the wine is nearly all evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very soft and the soup is slightly thickened, 20 to 30 minutes. Add cubes of bread to thicken, if desired, and then blend with an immersion blender. Add the cream, parsley, and lemon juice and simmer for 5 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the sliced bread on a baking sheet and bake on both sides until just crisp and light golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the oven. Rub one side of each with the cut garlic clove. In a small bowl, mash the cheese with the oil and spread 1 tablespoon of the mixture on top of each crouton. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
• To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with 2 cheese croutons, Garnish with chopped chives and serve hot.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• Cut the top quarter from each head of garlic and place, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the oil lightly over the cut garlic tops, and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Turn the garlic cut side down, and roast until the cloves are soft and golden brown, about 1 hour.
• Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle. Squeeze each head of garlic, gently pressing with your fingers to expel the cloves into a bowl. Stir the garlic with a rubber spatula to blend thoroughly. Use as needed, or store refrigerated in an airtight container.

ROASTED TOMATO SOUP WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place tomatoes, cut side up, on large baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle tomatoes with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Roast until tomatoes are brown and tender, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
• Transfer tomatoes and any accumulated juices to processor. Using on/off turns, process until slightly chunky.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, rosemary, thyme and dried crushed red pepper. Add chicken stock; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until soup thickens slightly, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm soup over medium-high heat before continuing.) Stir in basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, preheat broiler. Brush both sides of baguette slices with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Transfer to large baking sheet. Broil croutons until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with soup.