Italian Garlic Soup: a nutrient-rich, delicious, cheap and hearty soup

Introduction to Italian Garlic Soup

You all know my passion for soups, so when I heard that Annarita Belliardo of Atelier Mal’Erba had this Italian garlic soup recipe, I begged her to share it with us.
But it is not only the soup itself or the author’s profession that persuades me to open the doors of my home to the chefs; what convinces me is their vision of food, their respect and love for nature and their commitment to making the world a better place for us today and for our children tomorrow. And that is why it is important to me that my chef friends are actually more, that they are CHEf.
Annarita expresses her concept of food better than anyone else, so I give the floor to her:
Variety, or rather biodiversity, is, in my opinion, a primary value to be pursued in food. The history of cuisine is made up of innumerable fusions and contaminations between different cultures, which demonstrates the need to abandon all ethnic and historical prejudices. With this small contribution I would like to show how it is possible, by re-evaluating the gastronomic heritage of the past, to obtain the result of a pleasant, healthy and economical diet, completely in line with the current awareness of the times in which we live and will live. Times that are not easy and that must lead us to rethink our attitude towards ingredients. When it is not possible to grow our own produce (see the ‘kitchen garden’), we prefer to buy from small producers in our neighbourhood who have opted for organic farming. And for products that are not grown locally, we always choose relatively nearby farms that work with respect for the land and its rhythms, without exploiting their workers.”

Isn’t it wonderful?

Now let’s go back to our Italian Garlic Soup. As you can see from the name, this is a healthy recipe that competes with the remedies for seasonal illnesses, but at the same time, despite the strong presence of garlic, the soup manages to remain delicate and mild.
You may think I am exaggerating when I compare it to a remedy, but I am not, and I can prove it with peer-reviewed studies.

Health benefits of Italian Garlic Soup

Let’s start with the main ingredient, garlic:

• Garlic is known for its antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties.
• It has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, in particular by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease(1,2).
• In addition, garlic can help boost the immune system, improve digestion and even have an anti-inflammatory effect, so much so that recent studies have suggested a potential role in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells(3).

But the second ingredient in Annarita’s Italian garlic soup, sage, is equally functional:

• The significant amount of sage (Salvia officinalis) enhances the benefits of the soup, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties(4).
• In addition, fragrant sage is a valuable ally in the treatment of digestive disorders, memory problems and excessive sweating, as well as combating stress and anxiety due to its relaxing properties(5,6).
• With all these incredible properties, it seems like a no-brainer, I know, but you will be pleased to know that frequent consumption of sage is also beneficial for healthy skin and hair.

So, without wasting any more time, let’s get on with our incredibly delicious soup.

Buon appetito for your Italian Garlic Soup and a good revolution to all.
Başak