Garlic Soup (Sopa de Ajo) with Poached Eggs

By amt2mf

Ingredients

• 4 - 5 cups cubed or torn stale white bread
• 1/4 cup EVOO
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or chopped
• 1 small rib celery, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon hot paprika or chili powder (about a palmful)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 6 cups chicken stock
• A small handful fresh cilantro or parsley leaves, finely chopped
• 4 eggs

Details

Adapted from rachaelraymag.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees . Spread the bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden and fragrant, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a soup pot, heat the EVOO, 4 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery and bay leaf; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the toasted bread; season with the hot paprika (or chili powder), sweet paprika and a little salt. Stir in the chicken stock and cilantro (or parsley); simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
Fill a medium saucepan two-thirds of the way with water and bring to a gentle simmer. Crack the eggs into ramekins and slide the eggs into the water (and into the rings, if using). Gently poach until just set, 2 to 3 minutes.
Discard the bay leaf from the soup. Serve in shallow bowls with a poached egg on top.