Country French Garlic Soup

#### Instructions:

**Step 1: Sauté the Garlic and Onion**
1. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and diced onion to the pot and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the garlic becomes fragrant and the onion softens. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter if overcooked.

**Step 2: Add Broth and Herbs**
1. Stir in the fresh thyme (or dried thyme) and then pour in the vegetable or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

**Step 3: Add the Bread**
1. Once the soup has simmered and the garlic has softened, stir in the stale French bread cubes. Let the bread soak in the broth for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes soft and mushy. The bread will help thicken the soup and add a comforting texture.

**Step 4: Blend the Soup**
1. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth and creamy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender in batches. Once blended, return the soup to the pot.

**Step 5: Add Cream (Optional)**
1. For a richer, creamier soup, you can add the heavy cream at this stage. Stir it in and let the soup cook for an additional 5 minutes. This step is optional but adds a lovely velvety texture.

**Step 6: Season and Serve**
1. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more bread or cook it for a little longer.

**Step 7: Garnish and Serve**
1. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh parsley for a burst of color. If you’d like, sprinkle some grated Gruyère or Parmesan cheese on top for an extra layer of flavor. Serve hot, with crusty bread on the side for dipping.

### Tips for Making the Best Country French Garlic Soup:

– **Use Stale Bread**: The bread in this soup is meant to absorb the broth and help thicken the soup. Stale bread works best for this, as it soaks up the liquid without falling apart too quickly. If you don’t have stale bread, you can dry fresh bread cubes in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

– **Adjust the Garlic**: If you love garlic, feel free to add more cloves to the soup. Roasting the garlic before adding it to the soup will also mellow out its flavor and give it a sweeter taste.

– **Add a Protein**: If you’d like to make this soup heartier, consider adding some cooked chicken, sausage, or beans for a more substantial meal.

– **Make it Vegan**: To make this soup vegan, simply skip the heavy cream and cheese, and use vegetable broth. It will still be rich and flavorful without the dairy.

### How to Store and Reheat:

**Storing**: This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop and deepen as it sits, making it even more delicious the next day.

**Freezing**: To freeze **Country French Garlic Soup**, let it cool completely and transfer it to freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop over low heat.

### Conclusion:

**Country French Garlic Soup** is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary. This hearty, garlic-infused soup is full of depth and flavor, with a creamy texture and a comforting richness that will warm you from the inside out. Whether you’re craving something light yet satisfying, or you need a dish that will impress your guests, this soup is sure to be a crowd favorite.

So next time you’re in the mood for something flavorful, easy to make, and utterly comforting, give **Country French Garlic Soup** a try. It’s a French classic that will transport you straight to the heart of the countryside with every spoonful!