Česnečka (Česnečka)
Overview
Česnečka is a Czech garlic soup, simple and strongly flavoured. Potatoes are cooked in stock or water with caraway and marjoram, then plenty of crushed raw garlic is added at the end so its sharp flavour stays strong. The soup is poured over fried bread croutons and often topped with grated cheese, sometimes with an egg stirred in. It is cheap and quick, and in the Czech Republic and Slovakia it is famous as a warming winter soup and a remedy after a night out.
Pictures
History
Garlic soups are known throughout Central Europe, and česnečka is one of the most typical Czech everyday soups, served in pubs and canteens. Its ingredients were always easy to find in rural households, which helped it remain popular through hard times. Many restaurants serve it in a hollowed-out bread loaf, and home cooks vary the toppings, adding egg, ham or cheese depending on what they have available.
Main ingredients
Garlic, potatoes, caraway, marjoram, croutons, cheese. The soup is built on light stock and is usually served hot. Diet: vegetarian; not usually gluten-free.
Recipe outline serves 4 · ~35 min
Ingredients
- 3 potatoes, cubed
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1.2 l stock or water
- caraway, dried marjoram
- fried bread croutons
- grated cheese
Allergens: Contains: Gluten, Milk. Based on the typical recipe. Recipes and products vary; always check labels if you have an allergy.
Method
- Cook the potatoes with caraway in the stock for 15 minutes.
- Add marjoram and the crushed garlic and remove from the heat.
- Season with salt.
- Serve over croutons with grated cheese.
Sources
Description, history and recipe written by SoupWiki and checked against the sources above. Calories and times are rough estimates.