Garlic and Saffron Soup
By: Anonymous
Published: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 12:06am

Ingredients




5 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups trimmed sourdough bread cubes
4 lrg garlic cloves quartered
 cup dry white wine
4 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
2 generous pinches saffron threads
Salt
8 1/2 inch thi French bread baguette slices
1/2 cup grated Manchego or Monterey Jack Cheese
Minced fresh chives or green onion tops
Saffron threads

Preparation

1 Heat 4 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. add bread cubes and garlic and saute until bread is light golden, about 4 minutes. Add wine, then broth and saffron; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 25 minutes. Puree soup in blender. Return soup to saucepan. Season with salt. 2 Preheat oven to 350F. Arrange French bread slices on cookie sheet. Brush 3 With remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Bake until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle cheese over croutons. Transfer cookie sheet to broiler; broil croutons until cheese melts. Place 2 croutons in each bowl. Bring soup to simmer. Ladle over croutons. Sprinkle with chives and a few saffron threads and serve. 4 Serves 4.