Garlic Soup - Beat the Bugs!

There's been all manner of nasty bugs on the prowl this week.   Tummy bugs, sore throats and headachy bugs abound.   I'm on soup fairy duty again, and decided it's time for the big guns, so I'll be making up a big batch of garlic soup.

The first thing to say about this is, it's not as smelly as it sounds!   Although it uses a whole head of garlic, the cooking process really disarms the smell and it won't make your breath stink for a week.

It is my favourite kitchen sink remedy for all manner of infections.   Garlic is active against bacteria, viruses and fungal infections.   Using garlic to fight off illnesses is well documented going back thousands of years.   The workers building the pyramids in ancient Egypt were given a clove of garlic a day to ward off contagious diseases like colds and flu.

It's important to cook the garlic gently so it doesn't brown.   Use a thick bottomed pan with a good lid.  

Use a whole head of garlic.   Peel and finely chop all the cloves.   Warm enough olive oil to cover the base of the pan, add the garlic and mix well.   Turn the heat right down and put the lid on.   You are aiming to get the garlic to go transparent so keep the heat as low as you can.   Heat for about 20 minutes, shaking the pan often.

Then add a bowlful of boiling water and stock to taste.   Boil for 5 minutes and then liquidize.  

This makes just one bowlful of soup but it's the business.   I like mine just like this, but you can add other bits e.g. some lentils or potato to thicken, parsley, sage or thyme.

Happy Cooking!