Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Roast-Gently Cook the Garlic
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan and gently cook the peeled garlic cloves over medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes until soft and golden but not brown.
- Add smoked paprika and cayenne and cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
Simmer the Broth
- Add chicken or vegetable broth and water, then bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender to blend most of the garlic smooth, leaving a few cloves whole for texture.
Season and Poach Eggs
- Season the soup with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme leaves.
- Poach eggs directly in the simmering soup for 3-4 minutes, keeping the simmer gentle.
Serve
- Serve the soup with toasted crusty bread, a poached egg in the center, and fresh parsley for garnish.
Notes
For the silkiest texture, blend most of the garlic right after simmering so it emulsifies into the broth; keep a few whole cloves for a little bite. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; rewarm gently (avoid a hard boil). Freezing is not recommended because the poached eggs can become grainy when thawed. If you want a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and poach the eggs separately (optional) to keep the soup egg-free for an easy plant-forward adaptation.
