Česnečka (Czech Garlic Soup)

About This Recipe

Česnečka (from česnek — garlic) is one of the most important soups in Czech pub culture. It is drunk in enormous quantities after long evenings of Pilsner Urquell — the Czech belief in its restorative powers is absolute. The soup is startlingly simple: the best possible chicken or pork stock, an almost shocking quantity of garlic (both raw and cooked), caraway and marjoram — the two defining Czech spices — and a raw egg cracked into the hot soup at the end to poach gently. A slice of toasted bread or croutons goes in the bowl first. The raw garlic added at the very end gives the soup a sharp, pungent edge that is the point.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 1.2 litresgood chicken or pork stock
• 8garlic cloves(6 minced, 2 raw and crushed to finish)
• 1 tspcaraway seeds(lightly crushed)
• 1 tspdried marjoram
• 2 tbspbutter
• 4thick slices bread(toasted and cubed)
• 4eggs
• 0.5 tspblack pepper
• 1 tspsalt
• 2 tbspfresh parsley(chopped, to serve)

Instructions

1. 1

   Fry garlic base

   Melt butter in a pot. Add 6 minced garlic cloves and caraway seeds. Fry on medium heat 2 min until fragrant but not browned.

2. 2

   Add stock

   Add stock. Bring to a simmer. Add marjoram, salt and pepper. Simmer 10 min.

3. 3

   Add raw garlic

   Crush remaining 2 garlic cloves and stir directly into the soup off the heat. This gives a sharp, pungent edge.

   The raw garlic finish is what gives česnečka its distinctive sharp heat — it is added at the very end so it doesn't cook.

4. 4

   Poach eggs

   Return soup to a gentle simmer. Crack eggs directly into the soup one by one. Poach 3 min until the whites are just set.

5. 5

   Serve

   Place toasted bread cubes in each bowl. Ladle soup over, including one poached egg per bowl. Scatter parsley over and grind fresh pepper on top.

Variations

• •

  Add diced smoked bacon fried until crispy as a topping

• •

  Stir in 2 tbsp sour cream at the end for a richer version

• •

  Add thinly sliced potato and simmer 15 min for a heartier winter version

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

Storage

Keeps 3 days refrigerated (without eggs — poach eggs fresh each time).

Frequently Asked Questions