Cesnaková Polievka (Slovak Garlic Soup with Croutons and Cheese)
Local name: Cesnaková polievka
In short: A warming Slovak garlic soup with soft potatoes, marjoram and caraway, topped with golden croutons and grated cheese. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
Cesnaková polievka is a simple, inexpensive soup that Slovaks reach for on cold days. Plenty of garlic is cooked gently with potatoes, marjoram and caraway in a light broth, then each bowl is crowned with crisp fried bread cubes and grated cheese. It takes under 45 minutes from start to finish, and simmering softens the garlic flavor.
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, without letting it brown.
- Add the potatoes, marjoram and caraway and stir for 30 seconds. Pour in the stock, add the bay leaf and salt and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are soft.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat and fry the bread cubes for 4 minutes, stirring, until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- Mash about a quarter of the potatoes against the side of the pot to thicken the soup slightly. Remove the bay leaf and season with the pepper and more salt if needed.
- Ladle into bowls and top with the croutons and grated cheese. Serve at once, while the croutons are still crisp.
Tips
- Do not let the garlic brown. Browned garlic turns bitter and spoils the soup.
- Add the croutons at the table, not in the pot. They go soft within minutes in the hot broth.
Questions and answers
Can I make Slovak garlic soup vegan?
Yes. Use oil instead of butter, skip the cheese or use a vegan one, and check that the bread contains no dairy.
Can I make cesnaková polievka ahead of time?
Make the soup up to 2 days ahead and reheat it gently. Fry the croutons just before serving so they stay crisp.
How much garlic should I use?
Eight cloves gives a clear but mellow garlic flavor once simmered. Start with five for a milder soup, and stir in a raw chopped clove at the end for a sharper kick.
How long does it take to make Cesnaková Polievka (Slovak Garlic Soup with Croutons and Cheese)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cesnaková Polievka (Slovak Garlic Soup with Croutons and Cheese)?
About 295 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 28 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 295 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
