World Flavors Cookbook

Sopa de Ajo (Castilian Bread Soup)

A humble but deeply flavorful soup of the Spanish interior. Made with stale bread, garlic, and smoked paprika, often topped with a poached egg.

Cuisine: Spain

Ingredients

• 200g stale country bread, sliced
• 8 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1.5L chicken or ham stock
• 1 tbsp pimentón de la Vera (smoked paprika)
• 4 eggs
• Extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Sauté garlic in olive oil until golden.
2. Add bread slices and fry until toasted and coated in oil.
3. Stir in pimentón for 30 seconds.
4. Pour in the stock and simmer for 15 minutes until bread is soft.
5. Crack eggs into the hot soup and poach for 3 minutes before serving.