Serves 4.

INGREDIENTS

  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups trimmed sourdough bread cubes
  • 4 large garlic cloves, quartered
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 4 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
  • 2 generous pinches saffron threads

  • salt

  • 8 1/2-inch-thick french bread baguette slices
  • 1/2 cup grated manchego or monterey jack cheese
  • minced fresh chives or green onion tops
  • saffron threads

    DIRECTIONS

    Heat 4 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. add bread cubes and garlic and sauté 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.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange French bread slices on cookie sheet. Brush 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.