Sopa de Ajo (Basque Garlic Soup)

• total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

4 ounces high-quality baguette

1/2 cup olive oil, divided

6 garlic cloves sliced

1 heaping tablespoon Pimentón de la Vera (smoked Spanish paprika)

8 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken broth

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

3 large eggs, beaten

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°F. Place baguette on a baking sheet and toast in preheated oven until very browned and almost burnt, 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Break or slice bread into 2-inch pieces.

Heat 7 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium-high. Add bread pieces and reduce heat to medium. Cook, turning often to allow bread to toast and soak up oil, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove bread and set aside. Wipe pot clean.

Add garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pot. Cook over medium-high, stirring constantly, until garlic is golden brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in paprika. Add broth and salt; bring to a boil.

Add bread to pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and maintain a simmer. Add vinegar. Cook, stirring occasionally to break up bread, until flavors meld, about 25 minutes. Taste and add more salt, if needed.

When ready to serve, bring soup to a simmer over medium-high. Stirring constantly, slowly pour beaten eggs into hot soup. If any large pieces of bread remain, cut with kitchen scissors or break apart with a spoon. Serve hot.