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Česnečka
Czech garlic soup with potatoes, caraway, croutons and grated cheese
Česnečka is the soup Czechs swear by after a long night in a Prague pivnice: a thin, savoury broth fragrant with raw garlic, caraway and marjoram, with soft potato cubes, crunchy fried bread and a fistful of grated cheese melting into each bowl. It costs almost nothing, comes together in half an hour and is served in workers' canteens and village pubs all winter. This version uses vegetable stock instead of the old meat bouillon. Chef's tip: crush the garlic into the bowls or add it right at the end off the heat; boiled garlic goes sweet and mild, and česnečka should bite.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the soup
To serve
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 1 tbsp sunflower oil in a saucepan over a medium heat and cook 1 onion for 5 minutes until soft and translucent but not brown. Add 1 tsp caraway seeds and stir for 30 seconds until it smells toasty.
5 minStep 2: Pour in 5 cups vegetable stock, add 14 oz floury potatoes and simmer for 12–15 minutes until the potatoes are soft and a few edges are starting to break up into the broth.
14 minStep 3: Meanwhile, fry 4 slices day-old bread in ⅔ oz butter in a frying pan over a medium heat, tossing, for 5–6 minutes until golden and crisp all over.
6 minStep 4: Take the soup off the heat. Rub 1 tsp dried marjoram between your palms over the pan, then stir in 6 cloves garlic, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Leave for 2 minutes so the garlic softens slightly without cooking.
Step 5: Put a handful of croutons and some 2 ⅞ oz Edam or Cheddar in each bowl and ladle the hot soup over so the cheese goes stringy. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped parsley and eat straight away while the croutons still crunch.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 320 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbs
- 36 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does česnečka take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of vegetable stock?
- Chicken stock, same amount (not vegetarian).
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