The Best Czech Garlic Soup (Česnečka) with Goose Meat
Get ready to warm up your winter evenings with a hearty and flavorful bowl of Czech Garlic Soup with Goose Meat known as Česnečka! I've seen this hangover soup made with beef, chicken, and just vegetables, so it wasn't a stretch to use goose meat.I already have lots of geese after a great start to the North Dakota waterfowl season. This goose recipe came from wanting to use some of them before duck season gets into full swing and the mallards start piling up in the freezer.CZECH GARLIC SOUP (ČESNEČKA)This Czech Garlic Soup known as Česnečka (or Hangover Soup) is another one of those easy dinner ideas that's healthy, delicious, and comforting. The main star of this dish is the succulent Canada goose meat, combined with a rich and aromatic broth of garlic, potatoes, and savory herbs. The result is a comforting and satisfying soup that will transport you straight to the cozy and charming streets of Prague. Whether you're a soup lover or looking for a new way to enjoy some of the goose from your last waterfowl hunt, this Česnečka recipe is a perfect weeknight meal for our long soup season here in North Dakota. Grab your soup ladle and let's get started!HOW TO MAKE CZECH GARLIC SOUP1. Place 2 goose breasts (from one bird) on a cutting board and tenderize with a Jaccard meat tenderizer or meat mallet, then cut into 1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the meat to the bowl, toss to coat well.2. In my favorite 6-quart stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the goose meat and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked goose meat to a large plate and set aside.3. In the same 6-quart stock pot, heat the other 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 pound of cubed potatoes and sauté for 4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. 4. Add 8 peeled garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute.5. Pour in 6 cups chicken broth, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, add 1/2 teaspoon marjoram, 2 bay leaves, and cooked goose meat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve immediately with croutons.CAN YOU EAT GEESE?I get the question, "Can you eat geese," a lot! There is something about eating a Canada goose that stops people in their tracks. Is it because we seem them paddling around the city stormwater retention ponds? Or maybe it's their predilection for foraging for food and crapping all over the local golf course?WHAT DO GEESE TASTE LIKE?Goose meat is just as versatile as beef and any other wild game I have come across. Some even call it "rib eye in the sky". You can enjoy everything from the goose breast to the legs and thighs. I do a lot of goose hunting in ND. Early Goose season in North Dakota usually starts on August 15. Starting this July, I'll start scouting and looking for flocks of birds. Every time I drive somewhere in late summer, I'm searching for certain types of fields that Canada geese will be using once they start leaving the water. Wheat fields are obvious targets. Other small grains – such as oats, barley and peas – can be great as well. But those are usually found on the western side of North Dakota. If you are planning to hunt early goose season anywhere near Fargo, you should be watching wheat stubble fields. MORE GOOSE RECIPESFor another delicious goose soup recipe, check out my Goose Gondi Soup. And for lots of great duck recipes and goose recipes, you can go to my Duck and Goose Recipes page. One of our favorite goose dishes to warm us up here in North Dakota is my Goose and Pepper Stew. But if you are in the mood for a Goose Sandwich, you gotta try my French Dip Sandwich with Canada Goose.GOOSE HUNTING IN NORTH DAKOTAAnd if you would like to come to North Dakota and experience an amazing goose hunt, check out the North Dakota Game and Fish Department webpage on goose hunting. And if you want me to come along with you as your camp cook, photographer, or butcher, you can find out more details here.CONNECT WITH ME AND JOIN OUR WILD GAME COOKING COMMUNITYIf you make this Goose and Garlic Soup Recipe, I’d love for you to join our community and connect with me so we can all see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #wildgameandfishDid you enjoy this Goose and Garlic Soup (Česnečka) or Hangover Soup? Be sure to leave a 5-star rating RIGHT HERE!? Be sure to leave a 5-star rating RIGHT HERE!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the goose breast on a cutting board and tenderize with a Jaccard meat tenderizer or meat mallet, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the salt and pepper. Add the meat to the bowl, toss to coat well.
- In my favorite 6-quart stockpot, heat 1 Tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the goose meat and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked goose meat to a large plate and set aside.
- In the same 6-quart stock pot, heat the other 1 Tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the potatoes and sauté for 4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
- Add garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute.
- Pour in the broth, stir well, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the marjoram, bay leaves, and cooked goose meat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve immediately with croutons.
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