Sardinian Longevity Soup (Zuppa Gallurese)
Sardinian Longevity Soup, also known as Zuppa Gallurese, is a traditional hearty bread and cheese soup from Sardinia, Italy. This rustic dish combines simple ingredients like broth, stale bread, pecorino cheese, and herbs to create a comforting meal that honors Sardinian culinary heritage and their reputation for longevity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
6 cups beef broth
1 cup dry white wine
12 slices stale country bread, cut about 1/2 inch thick
2 cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large saucepan, combine the beef broth, white wine, minced garlic, dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Butter the bottom and sides of a 9×13 inch baking dish evenly with 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter.
Dip each slice of stale bread briefly into the hot broth mixture, allowing it to soak but not become soggy.
Arrange a layer of soaked bread slices in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle one-third of the grated Pecorino Romano cheese evenly over the bread layer.
Repeat the process with two more layers of soaked bread and cheese, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
Dot the top layer with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter cut into small pieces.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let the soup rest for 5 minutes before serving.