Fresh Garlic Soup Gratinee

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 (16 ounce) french bread
• melted butter
• 2 heads garlic
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 quarts chicken broth
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 2 cups shredded swiss cheese

Recipe

• 1 slice the bread into 1-inch slices. place on a baking sheet and brush lightly with melted butter. bake at 325° for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. turn the slices over, brush lightly with the melted butter and continue to bake until browned.
• 2 separate the garlic into cloves and peel. place the cloves in a blender or food processor and process until garlic is pureed.
• 3 melt the 3 t. of butter in a large saucepan over low heat. gradually add the pureed garlic. cook, stirring, 2 minutes. cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. check to make sure the garlic doesn't burn - use low heat.
• 4 gradually stir in the flour to form a smooth paste; slowly stir in the chicken broth until the mixture is smooth. bring to a boil and season with salt and pepper. reduce heat and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes.
• 5 pour the hot soup into ovenproof individual soup crocks or casseroles. flatten 1 or 2 slices of toast and place on top of the soup.
• 6 cover the surfaces completely with swiss cheese. bake at 350° for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts, then set the soup crocks under the broiler until the cheese browns lightly, if desired.