Garlic soup

Garlic soup known as “česnečka or česneková polévka”. This soup is easy for preparation and inexpensive. In Czech Republic it is usually eaten without special occasion.

4 serves, preparation time 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes
• 1 tablespoon lard
• 2 bay leaves
• 10 large cloves of garlic
• 1.5 liters chicken broth (or beef broth or smoked)
• 2 handfuls of dried marjoram
• salt and pepper
• 100 g of ham or smoked meat
• 100 g of hard grated cheese
• toasted bread / croutons

Preparation process:

Peel the potatoes and cut into small cubes. Also dice the ham or smoked meat. In a pot heat the lard and fry on the potatoes and the ham until golden brown. Then stir in the bay leaf, garlic chopped into fine slices (be careful not to singe it avoid becoming bitter). Pour the broth, add the marjoram, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then pull the heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. At the end add the grated cheese and the croutons and serve.