Czech Bread Soup

Ingredients

• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 4 cups (200g) stale bread, torn into small pieces 4 cups (200g) stale bread, torn into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish
• Sour cream, for serving Sour cream, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the torn stale bread to the pot and stir well to combine with the onions and garlic.
3. 3.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and add the dried thyme, dried marjoram, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the bread has absorbed the broth and becomes soft.
5. 5.
   Remove the bay leaf from the soup and discard.
6. 6.
   Serve the Czech Bread Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Stale bread — If you don't have stale bread on hand, you can lightly toast fresh bread in the oven to dry it out before tearing it into small pieces for the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier version, you can add diced potatoes or cooked beans to the soup.
• Feel free to customize the herbs used in the soup according to your preference. Fresh herbs can also be used instead of dried herbs for a more vibrant flavor.
• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the soup using an immersion blender before serving.
• Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of vegetable broth if needed to adjust the consistency.

Serving advice

Serve the Czech Bread Soup as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad and crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

When serving the soup, sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a pop of color. Place a dollop of sour cream in the center of each bowl and swirl it gently with a spoon to create an attractive presentation.